World

Thailand approves submission of ACFTA 3.0 to legislature for ratification

The Thai Cabinet on June 10 approved the submission of the Protocol to Upgrade the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) to legislature for ratification, paving the way for ACFTA 3.0 aimed at promoting regional trade, investment, digital economy, and green growth.

Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Cabinet on June 10 approved the submission of the Protocol to Upgrade the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) to legislature for ratification, paving the way for ACFTA 3.0 aimed at promoting regional trade, investment, digital economy, and green growth.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Pherdwivatana said the decision marks an important step to complete Thailand’s domestic legal procedures before ACFTA 3.0 becomes legally binding on the country.

One of the key features of ACFTA 3.0 is the modernisation of customs procedures and trade facilitation through expanded use of electronic systems, greater transparency in the publication of export-import information, and shorter customs clearance times for perishable goods. Under the upgraded agreement, such goods must be cleared within a maximum of six hours after arriving at border checkpoints.

The deal also updates regulations on technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, and strengthens economic and technical cooperation up to international standards.

Notably, ACFTA 3.0 introduces five new cooperation areas, including competition and consumer protection; digital economy; green economy; supply chain connectivity; and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)./.

VNA
#ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement #ACFTA 3.0 #Thailand Thailand ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Thailand imposes stricter rules for online advertisers

Thailand imposes stricter rules for online advertisers

Under the regulations, platforms must establish systems to verify the identities of individuals or organisations wishing to place advertisements before they are published. The measure aims to prevent criminal groups from using advertising space to lure victims or commit technology-related crimes that are causing significant damage.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (R) at Nation TV’s 26th anniversary event on June 4, 2026. (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand prioritises OECD accession

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul the country’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, is central to the government’s economic agenda.

See more

New species of long-necked dinosaur discovered in Thailand

New species of long-necked dinosaur discovered in Thailand

According to the latest announcement from the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum under Thailand's Department of Mineral Resources, the fossil of the newly identified dinosaur species was discovered at the Phu Noi fossil site in Kalasin province, embedded in rock layers of the Phu Kradung Formation dating to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago.

Indonesia promotes aviation ecosystem development

Indonesia promotes aviation ecosystem development

INACA Chairman Denon Prawiraatmadja said the third IAS serves as a collaborative platform for the government, industry players, and all stakeholders to sustainably strengthen the national aviation ecosystem.

AI-powered robots displayed at an event in Malaysia (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia unveils strategy to counter future cyber threats

Malaysia must shift from conventional security methods to a more comprehensive strategy to address rapidly evolving threats, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), post-quantum cryptography and drones.

Containers are handled at a port in Penang state, Malaysia. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia central bank upbeat on 2026 economic growth

Domestic demand continues to be underpinned by a stable labour market, strong export performance and sustained investment activity. Rising exports are expected to support employment and private consumption, while growing demand linked to artificial intelligence and the electrical and electronics sector is expected to provide an additional boost.

Thai court jails bank employees over mule account scam network

Thai court jails bank employees over mule account scam network

The court in Pattaya province found that four employees of a commercial bank in Pattaya, including a branch manager, had facilitated the opening of bank accounts for Chinese nationals entering Thailand on tourist visas. The accounts were later used as mule accounts to receive funds fraudulently obtained by call-centre scam gangs.

Illustrative Image (Photo: VNA)

Philippines posts record rice imports in first half of 2026

According to the BPI, rice imports from January to June rose 20.1%, or about 460,000 tonnes, from 2.29 million tonnes in the same period last year. The first-half total already accounts for around 57% of the government's full-year import target of 4.8 million tonnes.

A booth of Palestine at the D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia (HEI) 2026 in Jakarta. (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia eyes central role in global halal economy

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta said promoting the D-8 Halal Economic Initiative is a concrete step towards strengthening Indonesia's economic integration with the Islamic world amid a volatile global economy. He added that the halal economy will become a new driver of Indonesia's economic growth and export expansion.

Thailand busts fake birth certificate ring for foreign children

Thailand busts fake birth certificate ring for foreign children

According to the Royal Thai Police, the network recruited Thai men to pose as the fathers of foreign-born children in order to complete birth registration procedures and fraudulently secure Thai citizenship. Preliminary investigations found that 164 children had been registered through the scheme over the past five years.

The Petronas Twin Towers, a tourist magnet of Malaysia, as seen from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia sees rise in international tourist arrivals

The growth was driven by strong demand from key source markets, including ASEAN member states, China, Japan, Australia, China's Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Indonesia develops breakthrough nickel ore processing technology

Indonesia develops breakthrough nickel ore processing technology

Unlike conventional refining methods that typically process only one type of nickel ore, the new process developed by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) can handle both saprolite and limonite ores within a single refining sequence.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pose for a photo at the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia, India launch Prambanan cultural heritage conservation project

Speaking at the July 8 event, Prabowo described Prambanan as not only a historic monument but also a symbol of the great civilisation of the Indonesian archipelago. He noted that the Ramayana bas-reliefs adorning the temple walls stand as vivid testimony to the centuries-old cultural exchanges and enduring ties between the civilisations of Indonesia and India.

A cargo port in India (Photo: ANI/VNA)

India seeks to reshape ties with ASEAN

Since launching its Act East policy and, more recently, the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, India has shifted from merely "looking East" to actively “acting East”, placing ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region at the centre of its Indo-Pacific strategy.