Radio Thailand World Service

05/08/2026

Thailand and Malaysia Advance Border Security Cooperation at 39th High-Level Committee Meeting

On 4 August 2026, Fourth Army Region Commander Lt. Gen. Norathip Poinok participated in the 39th Thailand–Malaysia High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting, co-chaired by General Ukrit Boontanon, Chief of Defence Forces of Thailand, and General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Mohd Nizam Jaffar (or update with the officially confirmed Malaysian counterpart if required), Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia. The HLC serves as the highest bilateral military mechanism for setting strategic policies, reviewing cooperation, and strengthening security, border management, and defence relations between the two countries.

The meeting reviewed progress made by the Regional Border Committee (RBC), which oversees border management cooperation, and the Joint Combined Exercise Committee (JCEC), responsible for coordinating bilateral military exercises. Both sides also agreed on key priorities for future collaboration.

Under the RBC, the two countries agreed to enhance intelligence-sharing mechanisms, strengthen joint border patrols, improve cross-border screening procedures, explore more effective identity verification systems, and update the committee’s structure to address evolving security challenges. The committee also emphasized promoting economic, social, and tourism cooperation to support balanced, secure, and sustainable border development.

The JCEC was tasked with integrating the annual Joint Combined Exercise Thailand–Malaysia (JCEx THAMAL) with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) training in collaboration with the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWVG). The enhanced exercise will focus on disaster-response scenarios in border areas, personnel readiness, knowledge exchange, and the shared use of resources to strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve assistance to affected communities.

During the meeting, the Thai side also expressed its appreciation to the Malaysian Government for its continued role as the facilitator of the Southern Border Peace Dialogue. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to further strengthen Thailand–Malaysia security cooperation, enhance border management, improve preparedness against emerging threats, and support economic development, trade, and tourism along the shared border for the long-term stability and prosperity of both countries.

05/08/2026

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05/08/2026

📰 Thailand Outlook | 5 AUG 2026
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05/08/2026

Thailand Showcases Progress on IUU Fishing and Labor Standards in Meeting with EU Ambassador

Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while strengthening labor protection standards during a meeting with European Union Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mrs. Luisa Ragher on August 3.

The meeting marked the ambassador’s courtesy visit following the minister’s appointment and provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on progress in addressing IUU fishing, protecting workers’ rights in the fisheries sector, and expanding Thailand–EU cooperation on labor issues.

Minister Julapun emphasized that Thailand views the fight against IUU fishing as a matter of protecting the rights and dignity of every worker in the fishing industry. He highlighted the country’s continuous enforcement efforts through Port In-Port Out (PIPO) Control Centers and Front Inspection Posts (FIP) across 21 coastal provinces. Working with multidisciplinary teams and multilingual interpreters, authorities have strengthened labor inspections and worker interviews to ensure transparency and compliance.

As a result of these efforts, the number of non-compliant fishing vessels has fallen significantly—from 544 vessels in fiscal year 2018 to just seven in fiscal year 2026—with legal action taken in every case. Thailand has also intensified inspections of fishing vessels at sea and seafood processing facilities throughout the supply chain.

The minister stressed that the European Union’s removal of Thailand’s “yellow card” in 2019 was not viewed as the end goal, but rather as the starting point for continuously raising labor standards in the fisheries sector to international levels. He also expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support, including its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia project, as well as its backing of Thailand’s accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Beyond fisheries, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to ratifying additional ILO conventions, including Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health. The government is also advancing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for identifying forced labor and labor trafficking, while further developing the Anti-Labour Trafficking (A-LAT) information system to strengthen case management. Thailand welcomed continued technical cooperation and recommendations from the European Union to further align its labor standards with international best practices.

During the meeting, Minister Julapun also invited Ambassador Ragher and the EU delegation to attend the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (29th ALMM), which Thailand will host in Bangkok from August 23–28, 2026. As a gesture of friendship, he presented the ambassador with a handcrafted peacock made from palm leaves, created by a Social Security Office vocational rehabilitation trainee.

Photo: Ministry of Labour

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

Thailand Strengthens Trade and Investment Cooperation with Indonesia at Business Forum

On 4 August 2026 (local time in Jakarta, Indonesia), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun led a Ministry of Commerce delegation to the Thailand–Indonesia Business Forum at the Fairmont Jakarta, reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to expanding bilateral trade and investment while creating new business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs. The forum was officially opened by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul.

The event was jointly organized by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), and the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) through its Thai Trade Center in Jakarta. The forum aimed to strengthen business networks between Thailand and Indonesia, promote trade and investment, and expand market opportunities for Thai products and services in one of ASEAN’s key economies.

During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee toured the Thai Product Showcase, organized by the Thai Trade Center in Jakarta, featuring high-potential Thai products that continue to gain popularity in the Indonesian market. She also met with Thai product importers and local business leaders to exchange market insights and explore new commercial partnerships.

The showcase brought together 10 Indonesian importers and private-sector partners—including nine food importers and one Thai longan importer—to present a wide range of quality Thai products and facilitate business matching opportunities. Participating companies included PT Sukanda Djaya, KAIFA Food, PT Eakindo Mitra Sastari, Inter Buana Mandiri, Berkah Maju Jaya, InotekFood, Wilmond Indonesia, PT Dinamik Multi Sukses, PT Kartikawira Adisukses, and SHB Group.

The initiative reflects Thailand’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with Indonesia while enhancing the global presence of Thai products, food, and businesses.

Photo: DIPT

04/08/2026

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Welcome to Music in Time, our daily program featuring timeless Thai classics performed by PRDBand.

Inspired by the Public Relations Department's mission to preserve and share Thailand's musical heritage, the program introduces these beloved songs to both our international listeners and Thai audiences. Whether they bring back memories or you're hearing them for the first time, we hope you'll enjoy this journey through Thailand's musical legacy.

📻 Tune in to Music in Time every day at 3:00 PM on Radio Thailand World Service FM 88.

04/08/2026

Thailand and Russia Sign Transportation Agreement to Advance Smart Rail, Maritime, and Autonomous Transit
On August 3, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phipat Ratchakitprakarn led a senior Thai delegation—including Chayatan Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary for Transport, and Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Russian Federation—to Moscow to strengthen bilateral transportation ties with Russia. During the visit, Mr. Phipat signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Transportation Cooperation with Russian Transport Minister Andrey Sergeevich Nikitin at the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.
Building on the diplomatic foundation laid during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit to Russia in June 2026 and anticipating the 130th anniversary of Thailand–Russia diplomatic relations in 2027, the agreement focuses on adopting global transport technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve passenger safety in Thailand. The partnership covers seven key areas: transport infrastructure development, multimodal transport, workforce development, academic research, satellite technology for transit management, transport security, and multilateral collaboration across international frameworks like ESCAP, APEC, ASEAN, and ASEM.
Russian officials presented advancements in smart transit and autonomous technology across rail, maritime, and road networks, alongside plans for automated freight routes and academic exchanges. Following the signing, Permanent Secretary Chayatan Phromsorn stated that Thailand will prioritize technical exchanges in aviation, maritime transit, rail systems, and smart transport to build local expertise, evaluate automated driving and navigation tech, and adapt international best practices under Thai safety standards.

Photo courtersy of www.thaigov.go.th

04/08/2026

PM Anutin Opens Thai–Indonesia Business Forum, Pushing 4 Strategic Pillars to Build Regional Value Chains
On August 4, 2026, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a keynote address at the Indonesia–Thailand Business Forum titled "Advancing the Indonesia–Thailand Strategic Partnership: Building Integrated Value Chains in Industry, Services, and Halal Economy." He emphasized that Thailand and Indonesia have elevated their relationship from traditional trade partners to "co-creation partners," focusing on integrating production, investment, technology, and innovation to build resilient value chains and expand regional economic opportunities across ASEAN.
To advance this partnership, Prime Minister Anutin outlined four core areas of cooperation: food security and the end-to-end halal value chain to expand high-value agricultural exports globally; logistics, transportation, and digital connectivity to lower trade costs; financial and digital economy collaboration, including the cross-border integration of PromptPay and QRIS payment systems; and green energy transition to support future industries such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and data centers. He concluded that the true success of Thai–Indonesian relations should be measured by shared achievements rather than trade figures alone.

04/08/2026

Ministry of Tourism and Sports Reviews Sustainable Tourism Fund Management and Tourist Fee Framework
On August 3, 2026, Ms. Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, chaired the 6th/2026 Thailand Tourism Promotion Fund Executive Committee Board Meeting at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary. The meeting focused on reviewing the fund's operational progress and evaluating strategies to enhance overall management efficiency in support of long-term sustainable tourism development.
During the session, the board acknowledged the fund's operational achievements and approved key strategic frameworks, including long-term (3 to 5 years) and Fiscal Year 2027 action plans for operations, digital development, and human resource management. These plans are designed to elevate administrative readiness and modernize internal systems to keep pace with future tourism growth and sector needs.
Additionally, the committee reviewed performance data indicators for Fiscal Year 2027 and held preliminary discussions on guidelines for collecting the international foreign tourist entry fee. The study emphasizes evaluating appropriate collection rates, minimizing impacts on the tourism industry, and developing transparent, user-friendly collection channels. Proceeds from the proposed fee aim to fund natural and cultural site restoration, upgrade local infrastructure, and strengthen national tourism management capabilities for long-term sustainability.
Photo courstesy of www.thaigov.go.th