Thailand to set up rescue centres in major national parks
Thailand plans to set up rescue centres in seven national parks throughout the country, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat said on December 26.
Hanoi (VNA) - Thailand plans to set up rescue centres in seven national parks throughout the country, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat said on December 26.
The planned rescue centers will be established in seven major national parks to provide emergency assistance and rescue missions for any visitors in trouble, either Thai or foreigners, Surasak said.
He assured that the planned centers will use modern rescue equipment, such as helicopters and ambulances, to ensure optimum safety of the visitors.
The benefited national parks include Khao Yai national park in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Doi Inthanon national park in the northern province of Chiang Mai and those on tourist islands in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand off the southern provinces of Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, among others. They are largely viewed as favorite tourist destinations by many foreign visitors.
About 20 million Thai and foreign people are expected to visit all 147 national parks throughout 2018, compared to about 18 million people this year.
More rescue centers will be set up in other national parks in the following years.
The national parks collect a combined 2.4 billion baht (about 72.7 million USD) in revenue from admission fees and other incomes a year.-VNA
Thailand launched its first international water park, the Cartoon Network Amazone, in Chonburi province since the beginning of October 2014, aiming to attract tourists to Thailand, especially Pattaya.
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, believes that there is still room for Vietnam and Thailand to grow and attract tourists with different tourism purposes.
Thailand reportedly welcomed over 3 million foreign tourists in August amid growth in global tourism, with Chinese travellers leading other nationalities in arrivals.
Thailand welcomed 3 million foreign tourists in November, up 23.2 percent from the same month a year earlier, the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports said on December 25.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.