Thai province gearing up to host IMT-GT meetings to boost regional economy

The meetings aim to review and advance the trilateral economic cooperation plan under the 5-Year Implementation Blueprint (2022–2026) and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Vision 2036.

Hanoi (NNT/VNA) – Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan has announced that Trang province is prepared to host two key regional economic meetings, namely the 22nd Chief Ministers and Governors Forum (CMGF) and the 31st Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Ministerial Meeting.

The 22nd CMGF will take place on September 3, followed by the 31st IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting on September 4. The events are being coordinated by the National Economic and Social Development Council and Trang province.

The meetings aim to review and advance the trilateral economic cooperation plan under the 5-Year Implementation Blueprint (2022–2026) and the IMT-GT Vision 2036. Discussions will cover a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, trade and investment, and human resource development.

Several key infrastructure and economic projects will be on the agenda. These include the construction of a road connecting the new Sadao checkpoint with Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia, the Hat Yai – Padang Besar double-track railway project, and the development of airports and seaports in southern provinces. The Srivijaya beef cattle industry project and the revitalisation of cultural tourism sites will also be discussed.

The spokesperson stated that hosting these meetings not only elevates the potential of Trang and Southern Thailand but also showcases the nation's readiness to be a hub for regional economic cooperation. She added that this will lead to new opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, and improve the quality of life for people in the region./.

VNA

See more

Indonesia will not import rice for either consumption or industrial use next year. (Photo: tempo.co)

Indonesia to stop rice imports next year

Indonesia's rice production in 2025 is projected to reach 34.77 million tonnes, up 13.54% year on year, driven by favourable weather and farmer support policies under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Distinctive festivals across Indonesia attract international visitors. (Photo published by VNA)

Indonesia identifies 15 priority tourism markets for 2025–2026

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists from Malaysia reached 2.18 million in the January-October 2025 period, showing a growth of 15.91% compared to last year. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Singapore totaled 1.19 million this year, growing by 7.66% from 2024.

The 8th Cooperative Plan Meeting between the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, December 17, Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: nationalthailan.com)

Thailand, Laos aim to boost bilateral trade

Laos is Thailand’s 7th largest trading partner in ASEAN and 18th globally. From January to October 2025, two-way trade grew by 18.65% to 8.18 billion USD, with Thai exports increasing by 16.90% to 4.81 billion USD and imports rising by 21.23% to 3.60 billion USD.

File photo of Visa and Mastercard credit cards. (Photo: AP)

Unpaid credit card balances in Singapore hit record high in 10 years

Experts attributed the worrying trend to factors like people not spending within their means, consumer culture emphasising prestige items, and easier access to credit like “buy now, pay later” services. Analysts said this can be a hint of growing financial pressures faced by Singaporeans amid rising prices.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia accelerates clean energy transition

Delivering a speech at the Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA) Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said that the Southeast Asian region now drives more than half of the global energy demand.

Indonesian localities extend state of emergency amid natural disasters

Indonesian localities extend state of emergency amid natural disasters

As disaster-related losses continue to rise, authorities in the affected provinces have decided to extend the state of emergency to ensure resources and legal mechanisms for response efforts. West Sumatra extended it to December 22, North Sumatra to December 24, and Aceh to December 25.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof delivers his opening keynote address at the Global AI, Digital and Green Economy Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, December 15, 2025. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia eyes AI-driven energy future

Malaysia’s direction is to focus on building a modern grid, a digital economy powered by trustworthy AI, and climate finance systems that deliver real-world decarbonisation.

Air passengers at the departure terminal of the Phnom Penh International Airport. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Air travel between Cambodia, Thailand remains operational

In a statement released on his Facebook post, Hun Sen explained that his earlier message, advising the Royal Government to consider suspending cross-border travel, referred specifically to land routes, as tensions are escalating along the entire land border, with some spillover into maritime areas.

Thailand, Myanmar boost anti-drug cooperation

Thailand, Myanmar boost anti-drug cooperation

Myanmar authorities have handed over three drug-related fugitives wanted by Thailand and one Thai national who was residing illegally in Myanmar to Thai authorities, according to the Myanmar Police Force.