Thailand tightens social network, media control

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has instructed state management agencies to increase the monitoring of information on social networks and media, especially online newspapers.
Thailand tightens social network, media control ảnh 1Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha hasinstructed state management agencies to increase the monitoring of informationon social networks and media, especially online newspapers.

The government said the control aims to prevent the spread of information thatmay cause social unrest and affect national security.

The updated Computer Crime Act of Thailand stated that people accused ofdefamation or posting information which damages national security could face 10years in prison, along with a fine equivalent to 6,000 USD.

Authorised agencies have rights to close websites with contents that jeopardisenational security, social order and public moral.

Thailand is estimated to have about 47 million Facebook users, 11 millionInstagram and nine million Twitter users. The government has to date spent 3.8million USD on enhancing online monitoring technology.

This year, local authorities also required social networks such as Facebook andYoutube to block hundreds of accounts accused of posting information thataffects national security.-VNA
VNA

See more

Houses are damaged after the earthquake in General Santos city, Philippines on June 8. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Death toll from Philippines earthquake rises, tsunami reaches Indonesia, Japan

In the hard-hit port city of General Santos, disaster management officials confirmed seven deaths after several buildings collapsed and key infrastructure was damaged. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned residents to exercise caution before returning to damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.

Several shops were damaged following the earthquake in General Santos City, the Philippines, on June 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

At least 12 killed, hundreds injured in Philippines earthquake

The port city of General Santos suffered the heaviest damage, with disaster management officials confirming seven fatalities and about 130 injuries after several small buildings collapsed and multiple structures, including a key bridge, sustained severe cracks. The remaining five deaths were recorded in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island.

Laos intensifies business environment reforms

The latest Provincial Facilitation for Investment and Trade Index report indicates that since 2018, the public sector has clearly defined timelines for document approval, reducing the time required to establish a business to just 17 days, including 10 days for the issuance of a business registration certificate, five days for seal engraving, and two days for social insurance registration.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attends the National TVET Day 2026 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya today. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia strengthens vocational training in technology and energy sectors

Malaysia is ramping up technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a cornerstone of its economic transformation and talent development strategy, preparing its workforce for emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency technology and the global energy transition.

Indonesia eyes trade breakthrough with EAEU via FTA

Indonesia eyes trade breakthrough with EAEU via FTA

Indonesia seeks to develop relations with all countries and sees itself as a bridge between different regions of the world. Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical and global economic uncertainty, strengthening international cooperation and building reliable supply chains have become more important than ever.

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.

ASEAN aims to become global digital economy hub

ASEAN aims to become global digital economy hub

Studies indicate that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) could help raise ASEAN’s digital economy value to 2 trillion USD by 2030 while transforming the region into a connected, comprehensive and sustainable digital economy hub on the global stage.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Seri Fadillah Yusof speaks at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) in Kuala Lumpur on June 3. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia accelerates energy transition

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Seri Fadillah Yusof noted that for both Malaysia and ASEAN, the transition is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity and a strategic priority.

A pregnant woman receives a routine pregnancy check-up at a hospital. (Photo: VNA)

ILO report highlights gaps in maternity benefits across ASEAN

The report calls for extending maternity protection to all women, including workers in the informal economy; strengthening financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability and adequacy of benefits; and aligning maternity protection policies with broader social protection, health and care policies.