South-East Asia (Page 1,997)

Trade between Thailand and Malaysia is expected to grow by at least 1.02 trillion baht by 2025, according to deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek.

The government also expected to hold Joint Trade Committee (JTC) discussions with Malaysian authorities at the end of this year to strengthen trade cooperation between the two nations further, she said yesterday.

Malaysia is considered Thailand’s number one trading partner among Asean countries, Ms Rachada said.

There was 336 billion baht in trade between the two nations last year, mainly in cars and car parts, oil, and computers and their parts, she said.

Ms Rachada said earlier on July 14 that representatives of the Department of Trade Negotiations of the Commerce Ministry went to Malaysia to visit Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, secretary-general of Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

Both agencies discussed franchise businesses, fair domestic trading, and border trading recovery measures during those talks.

Plans were also drawn up to attend each other’s sale expos for wider trading partner establishments.

Ms Rachada said there are six major Thai-based food brands with franchises in Malaysia, while the same number of Malaysian franchise brands are in the kingdom.

She said that many Thai businesses are looking into opportunities in Malaysia, such as those involved in agricultural products, construction, and restaurants.

To support market and partner expansion, the government has held many activities that promote the growing partnership with Malaysia, such as a halal food fair in Malaysia under the name “I Love Thailand Fair.”

“The prime minister expressed his appreciation regarding the growth of trade between both countries,” Ms Rachada added.

Farmers urged to utilise rainwater

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has come up with a plan to protect the nation’s water reserves in anticipation of a long dry spell brought on by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

RID director-general Praphit Chanma said the plan, which will be carried out under the supervision of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), will see a public awareness campaign launched to raise awareness among the public about the importance of saving water resources.

El Nino is causing less rain to fall in the region, raising fears of a severe drought when the monsoon ends in November. Experts fear this year’s El Nino could have an impact on the region’s average rainfall well into 2025, Mr Praphit said.

According to a report by RID’s Smart Water Operation Centre (SWOC) released on July 14, if the current rainfall trend continues, then by the end of the rainy season on Nov 1, the nation’s 35 major reservoirs would only contain 44.166 billion cubic metres of water — about 62% of their total capacity.

As of this week, the four major reservoirs along the Chao Phraya River Basin, namely Bhumibol Dam in Tak, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, Kwai Noi Bamrung Daen Dam in Phitsanulok, and Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri, contain 14.194 billion m³ of water, or about 57% of their total capacity, he said.

More assessment is needed ahead of the end of the rainy season, so the RID has ordered all sectors to improve their overall water resource management, he said.

The RID is urging farmers to increase their utilisation of rainwater runoff to irrigate their plots ahead of the planting season to ensure there is enough water to irrigate their plots when the dry season begins.

When asked to comment on the possibility of crop failures due to the dry conditions, Mr Praphit said the RID would assist farms which are affected by a prolonged drought, especially those that grow perennial plants like durian and rubber, which are more expensive to cultivate.

The RID will ask the local administrative office and the Joint Management Committee (JMC) to pump water from the four major dams to drought-hit areas, and expedite the construction of water management projects, said Mr Praphit.

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has come up with a plan to protect the nation’s water reserves in anticipation of a long dry spell brought on by the El-Nino weather phenomenon.

RID director-general, Praphit Chanma, said the plan, which will be carried out under the supervision of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), will see a public awareness campaign launched to raise awareness among the public about the importance of saving water resources.

El-Nino is causing less rain to fall in the region, raising fears of a severe drought when the monsoon ends in November. Experts fear this year’s El-Nino could have an impact on the region’s average rainfall well into 2025, Mr Praphit said. 

According to a report by RID’s Smart Water Operation Centre (SWOC) released on July 14, if the current rainfall trend continues, then by the end of the rainy season on Nov 1, the nation’s 35 major reservoirs would only contain 44.166 billion cubic metres of water — about 62% of their total capacity.

As of this week, the four major reservoirs along the Chao Phraya river basin, namely Bhumibol Dam in Tak, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, Kwai Noi Bamrung Daen Dam in Phitsanulok, and Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri, contain 14.194 billion m³ of water, or about 57% of their total capacity, he said.

More assessment is needed ahead of the end of the rainy season, so the RID has ordered all sectors to improve their overall water resource management, he said.

The RID is urging farmers to increase their utilisation of rainwater runoffs to irrigate their plots ahead of the planting season, to ensure there is enough water to irrigate their plots when the dry season begins.

When asked to comment on the possibility of crop failures due to the dry conditions, Mr Praphit said the RID will assist farms which are affected by a prolonged drought, especially those that grow perennial plants like durian and rubber, which are more expensive to maintain.

The RID will ask local administrative office and the Joint Management Committee (JMC) to pump water from the four major dams to drought-hit areas, and expedite the construction of water management projects, said Mr Praphit.

The Ombudsman on Monday asked the Constitutional Court to order the parliament to postpone the next vote for prime minister, and to rule on the rejected renomination of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

Pol Lt Col Keerop Kritteeranont, secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman, said 17 complaints had been filed objecting to the parliament’s resolution rejecting the renomination of Mr Pita for prime minister and declaring it a violation of their constitutional rights.

The complaints came from both members of the public and members of the parliament, he said. 

Some complainants proposed the Constitutional Court postpone the next parliamentary vote for prime minister pending a ruling by the court. The next round voting is scheduled for Thursday, he said.

The Ombudsman accordingly asked the Constitutional Court to postpone the prime ministerial vote by the House and the Senate pending a ruling, to prevent any damage that would be difficult to mend in the future, the secretary-general said.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulanon said earlier on Monday that the party had petitioned the Ombudsman to ask the Constitutional Court to rule if Mr Pita could be renominated.

MFP MP Panyarat Pusitanon (Nonthaburi) later confirmed she and 16 other MFP MPs had jointly filed one of the complaints made to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The parliament on July 19 rejected the renomination of Mr Pita for prime minister by majority vote on a procedural issue. His opponents argued that parliamentary regulation 41 bans the resubmission of a failed motion during the same session, and that included Mr Pita’s renomination.

Pro-Pita parties argued that the nomination of Mr Pita for prime minister was not a general motion and should not be subject to regulation 41.

Also on Monday, 115 law lecturers from 19 institutions expressed their opposition to the parliament’s passing of the resolution on July 19 to block the renomination of Mr Pita.