Thailand hosts ASEAN Intellectual property meeting

Thailand is holding the 37th ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) in Phuket province to prepare for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Monday, March 26, 2012 09:07

Thailand is holding the 37th ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) in Phuket province to prepare for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Director General of the Deparment of Intellectual Property Pajchima Thanasanti said the 37th AWGIPC will be held from March 28 - April 2.

She added that the purpose of this forum is to provide a platform for member nations to exchange and share their thoughts on the characteristics of intellectual property (IP) rights and an opportunity to discover what might have already been patented.

Pajchima said this event will help simplify the process, with which the organizations related to intellectual property rights will have to deal; particularly when the ASEAN countries become unified in 2015.

The 37th AWGIPC is also aimed at laying down a legal foundation as well as developing a common policy on IP, striking a balance between the economy and IP rights, promoting creativity and supporting the use of IP for commercial purposes.

Thailand, according to the Director General, will be able to rely on IP to establish good relations with other countries and obtain cooperation from all the ASEAN members. Among the 28 projects expected to be implemented under the AWGIPC framework, Thailand will be responsible for 7 of them. - VNA/NN

See more

Malaysia refocuses tourism on stable markets to bolster resilience

22/04/2026 13:37

Amid prolonged uncertainty, tourism should not be viewed solely as a driver of visitor numbers but also as a vital source of foreign exchange earnings, helping to cushion external economic pressures, said a Malaysian minister.

KKP cuts GDP forecast, warns Thailand faces recession risk. (Photo: The Nation)

Thailand’s economy may face recession risk

22/04/2026 06:02

In its latest report, KKP Research noted that Thailand’s vulnerability goes beyond its reliance on imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East could also worsen shortages of fertilisers, affecting agricultural output, as well as petrochemical feedstocks, which would impact the plastics and textile industries.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks before Thai Parliament in Bangkok. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand plans tighter, targeted fiscal 2027 budget

22/04/2026 04:35

Thailand's fiscal 2027 budget is projected at around 3.78 trillion THB (nearly 118 billion USD), a 2% increase from the previous year, with a focus on targeted spending and cutting unnecessary expenses, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Thailand eyes second refinery-margin cut as costs spike. (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand moves to trim refinery margins again as costs climb

22/04/2026 02:13

The latest move follows a price adjustment last month that cut fuel costs by about 2.14 THB (0.067 USD) per litre, Thailand plans to further reduce prices by more than 2 THB per litre later this week.

Fitch downgrades Philippines’ outlook to ‘negative’

21/04/2026 23:24

The Outlook revision reflects rising risks to the Philippines' strong medium-term growth prospects from recent disruptions to public investment, exacerbated in the near-term by elevated exposure to the ongoing global energy shock.

The Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap is aimed at advancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability. (Photo: businesstimes.com.sg)

Singapore unveils new roadmap to boost innovation in maritime sector

21/04/2026 19:56

The Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap is aimed at advancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability. It highlights priorities – including digital technologies, decarbonisation and operational integration – to boost resilience, productivity and innovation in Singapore’s maritime ecosystem. It also addresses structural issues such as manpower, land and sea space limitations.

Ạt the global AI standardisation plenary meeting (Photo: AsiaOne)

Singapore pioneers standardisation of generative AI testing

21/04/2026 17:35

Singapore has proposed a new international standard to harmonise testing methods for generative artificial intelligence systems, aiming to strengthen the foundation for trustworthy AI evaluation.

A health worker prepares a measles vaccine for a child at an integrated health post in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, April 6, 2026. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia warns of highly contagious measles outbreak

21/04/2026 17:34

An Indonesian official highlighted that the main challenge in controlling measles is not the availability of vaccines, but public hesitation toward immunisation.

The National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) is official launched earlier this month. (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Singapore nurtures space talent through its education system

21/04/2026 17:31

Space has become an increasingly accessible frontier for nations and businesses thanks to rapid technological advancements and declining launch costs.

Singapore's Energy Market Authority says Singapore GasCo is making the purchases “to ensure we have sufficient fuel to meet demand”. (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Singapore buys more LNG from outside of Middle East

21/04/2026 07:40

Singapore currently imports natural gas to meet around 95% of its electricity needs.

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, says aid rates in Peninsular Malaysia have been raised to 20,000 MYR (5,060 USD) per hectare from 13,710 MYR. (Photo: businesstoday.com.my)

Malaysia boosts aid to help farmers expand rubber cultivation areas

21/04/2026 06:35

The move comes amid rising agricultural input costs and global economic uncertainty, which have made replanting increasingly challenging for small-scale growers.

Singaporean primary schools pilot AI with strict control

21/04/2026 05:40

In Singapore, AI will be gradually introduced from Primary 4. This is done under close supervision and “low exposure”, with priority given to learning the fundamentals.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand steps up nationwide cost-of-living relief programme

21/04/2026 04:16

Thailand has ordered provincial and district officials nationwide to support the deployment of 3,800 mobile "Pum-Puang" vehicles under a Commerce Ministry initiative aimed at selling low-cost goods across the country.

Malaysia considers establishing strategic petroleum reserve

21/04/2026 02:32

Malaysia, which was previously a net exporter, has now become a net importer due to declining domestic production and rising consumption, with demand estimated at around 800,000 barrels per day compared to production of about 400,000 barrels per day.

Illustrative Image (Photo: theedgemalaysia.com)

Malaysia rolls out financial support measures for businesses

20/04/2026 22:52

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on April 20 that a key measure is a 5 billion MYR guarantee package (1.27 billion USD) under the Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP) scheme.

Heat index in Thailand's capital at dangerous levels for 19 consecutive days

20/04/2026 22:20

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that the heat index has remained at a "dangerous" level of 42–51.9°C since April 1. Unlike standard temperature readings, the heat index reflects the actual perceived heat, taking humidity into account.