Thailand to ease COVID-19 controls for foreign arrivals

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on March 19 decided to gradually ease COVID-19 controls for foreign arrivals beginning on April 1, shortening or lifting quarantine periods and increasing the range of activities allowed them.
Bangkok (VNA) - The Centre for COVID-19Situation Administration  (CCSA) on March 19 decided to gradually ease COVID-19 controls forforeign arrivals beginning on April 1, shortening or lifting quarantine periodsand increasing the range of activities allowed them.

CCSA spokesman TaweesilpVisanuyothin said that from April 1, visitors would not be required to show afit-to-fly document.

 From April 1 to September 30, quarantinefacilities of various forms would remain operative.

In the first phase of relaxation of quarantine from April 1 to June 30, quarantinedarrivals would be allowed to leave their rooms to go to a gymnasium, outdoorexercise area, swimming pool and controlled areas for cycling and outsideshopping.

In the next phase of relaxation from July 1 to September 30, they wouldbe able to eat in restaurants at their hotels and have health massages.

From October 1 onwards, quarantine wouldbe required only for people arriving from specified areas.

On the issue of quarantine duration, Taweesilp said, from April 1 to September 30,arrivals without a vaccination certificate (VC) and COVID-19 free certificate (CFC) would be quarantined for 10 days, andbe tested for the disease twice.

Arrivals with VCs and CFCs would bequarantined for seven days and tested once. Those with VCs but without CFCswould be tested twice.

The 14-day quarantine period wouldremain for arrivals from areas where the COVID-19 virushas mutated, which is of global concern, Taweesilp said.

Thailandreported one more death and 100 new COVID-19 cases, 96 localinfections and four imported, on March 19, lifting the total to 90 fatalities and 27,594 cases./.
VNA

See more

Russian Ambassador to the EAEU Sergei Tolchenov. (Photo: Russian Embassy in Indonesia)

Indonesia – EAEU FTA expected to boost bilateral trade

The removal of tariff and technical barriers under the agreement, including the elimination of import duties on 90.5% of Indonesian goods and 90% of product lines from Russia and other EAEU member states, is anticipated to create additional momentum for expanding bilateral trade.

Prensa Latina's special section on the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Prensa Latina launches column on Vietnam’s 14th Party National Congress

The special section on the e-newspaper of Cuba’s Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina represents Prensa Latina’s commitment, within the framework of cooperation with the Vietnam News Agency, to publicise the 14th National Congress of the CPV to international friends, particularly in the Latin American.

Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister (KBS) Dr Taufiq Johari is targeting Malaysia to be overall champions at the 2027 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. (Photo: BERNAMA)

Malaysia targets overall title at SEA Games 2027

The newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister expressed confidence that Malaysia could emerge as the strongest team at the SEA Games 2027, and voiced optimism about repeating the overall championship the country secured when it last hosted the event in 2017.

Penang Port in Butterworth city, Malaysia (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia’s economy expected to remain stable in 2026

Continued infrastructure development and steady FDI, particularly in electronics, semiconductors and data centres, are expanding Malaysia's productive capacity and underpinning medium-term growth prospects, said the HSBC chief Asia economist.

Rescuers at the scene of the plane crash in the Bulusaraung mountain range, Indonesia's South Sulawesi province, on January 18, 2026 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia plane crash: Another victim recovered

The ATR 42-500 aircraft was reported to have lost contact on January 17 afternoon while approaching Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, and was believed to have crashed in the mountainous area bordering Maros and Pangkep regencies.

ASEAN AI Safety Network to be based in Malaysia

ASEAN AI Safety Network to be based in Malaysia

The ASEAN AI Safety Network will serve as a regional platform to strengthen cooperation on capacity building, regulatory preparedness and safeguard measures, ensuring that innovation in AI continues to advance while risks and misuse are effectively addressed.

Singapore's Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his conviction was upheld, on December 4, 2025. (File photo: CNA)

Singapore upholds rule of law, parliamentary integrity

In a recent statement, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the removal of Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh from his position as the Leader of the Opposition was necessary to uphold the rule of law as well as the dignity and integrity of Parliament.