News
Capital hoteliers address empty rooms
A lack of tourist attractions combined with overly-optimistic developers has left around 80 percent of Nay Pyi Taw hotel rooms empty on any given day. But the chair of a local tourism industry body believes better marketing can help the city improve its visitor numbers. U ...
Thein Sein recalls Myanmar's reform process
Former president says daunting challenges remain in Myanmar’s democratic transition. “I never dreamt of becoming president,” said Thein Sein, who stepped down as Myanmar president last year after a historic five-year term. Speaking at a regional forum in central Japan, he added that “the situation ...
Landslide warning for 5 provinces
Five southern provinces are bracing for possible landslides and continued flooding as heavy rain persists in the area. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on January 16 announced Chumphon, Surat Thai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla were particularly at risk. The five provinces were ...
Poultry export outlook solidly optimistic
Thailand’s poultry export prospects are looking more promising this year, lifted by higher demand and the resumption of fresh poultry imports by many countries after bird flu was brought under control. According to Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikulya, the ministry is optimistic Thailand will be able ...
City supports voluntary blood donations amid debate on draft law
While a pending draft law would require all Vietnamese to donate blood at least once a year, HCM City has set a target to have at least 220,000 citizens donate blood voluntarily this year. The city authority also targets having at least 94 per cent ...
New compensation regulations
Aquaculture farmers directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics will receive compensation totalling as much as US$2,600 per hectare, according to Decree No 2 issued by the Government last week. The decree, to take effect from February 25, will regulate compensation forms and levels to help farmers ...
Poipet checkpoint to be upgraded, enlarged
The government has decided to build a new immigration office at the Poipet International Border Checkpoint at a cost of more than $2 million. General Sok Phal, the director general of the Interior Ministry’s immigration department, told reporters on Sunday after an annual meeting with ...
A more direct path for mango exports
Sweet and juicy mangoes grown in Cambodia have been finding their way into top Asian markets for years, but until now only through Thai and Vietnamese brokers, and often repackaged or processed into juices and jams to disguise their Khmer origin. Local producers’ lack of ...
Out-of-action irrigation may cut crop yields
Thousands of hectares of farmland are expected to be affected by a lack of irrigation this dry season as provinces are suffering funding shortages for the repair of irrigation systems. This year there are as many as 453 irrigation systems that require repair with the ...
Ministry reviews progress in health sector
Ministry of Health officials and personnel from around the country met on January 16 in Vientiane to review the Health Sector Governance and Nutrition Programme for 2015-2016 and discuss plans for the year ahead. Participants reported the progress of their health activities and shared future ...
