Thailand emphasized the importance of the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and promoted key cooperation areas to build future resilience and benefit the people:

• Combating Cybercrimes: Addressing online scams to ensure cybersecurity and protect the public.
• Accelerating Free Trade (FTA): Looking forward to a timely conclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) to boost trade opportunities.
• Boosting Future Economy: Promoting cooperation in the digital economy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance future competitiveness.
• Advancing Strategic Goals: Welcoming the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2026-2030) and aligning Indo-Pacific strategies to guide collective efforts for regional peace and prosperity.

During the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Retreat Session), the meeting exchanged views on key regional and international developments, anchored on ASEAN unity and centrality. Key discussions included the peaceful resolution of the situation in the Middle East, the importance of freedom of navigation, and the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with the agreed timeline. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted three key strategic approaches, namely Regionalism, Resilience, and Relevance.

Regarding the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar, the Deputy Prime Minister contributed to advancing ASEAN’s implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, building upon the outcomes of the informal meeting held in Bangkok on 12 July 2026. Thailand advanced key issues, including ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar under the calibrated re-engagement approach proposed by Thailand, as well as enhancing the effectiveness of the ASEAN Special Envoy mechanism.

The bridge is planned to be 10 meters long and 5 meters wide. The project will undergo evaluation before full-scale construction begins. This initiative serves as a pilot project to study the feasibility of applying 3D printing technology to future infrastructure development.

The 3D printing technology used in this project involves automated construction, where concrete is extruded layer by layer without the need for traditional molds. This approach helps reduce labor requirements and construction time, while also allowing for more flexible and innovative structural designs.

Developers have conducted strength tests using scaled models to ensure compliance with Singapore’s safety and structural standards. These tests have been completed, and the data is currently under analysis. If the results meet the required standards, full-scale construction of the bridge will proceed.

Source and Photo Credit: CNA

Employees whose commuting distance exceeds 8 kilometers will be permitted to work from home (WFH), with up to 3 WFH days per week, subject to public holidays in each state. This measure is in response to the global energy crisis stemming from conflicts in the Middle East.

Exceptions will be made for the security, public health, and education sectors, which will continue to perform their duties as normal.

Eligible employees are required to register their address and record their working hours through the SPOT-Me system, which tracks their location hourly.

The policy also covers state enterprises and local governments.

Source and Photo Credit: Bernama

During the second Task Force Meeting held in Osaka from March 3-4, co-chaired by the Philippines and Japan, member economies emphasized that close collaboration is now more critical than ever.

The DOF urged for concrete measures to synchronize policy responses and share macroeconomic insights to navigate external shocks collectively.

Addressing Geopolitical and Climate Risks Assistant Secretary Donalyn U. Minimo, representing the International Finance Group (IFG), highlighted the tangible impact of global disruptions. She pointed to recent instability in the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered volatility in oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) prices, directly straining fiscal spaces and threatening regional economic growth.

In response to these multifaceted challenges, the Philippines successfully pushed for several key initiatives:

• Regional Disaster Risk Financing: A roadmap is being developed to bolster preparedness against climate-related disasters. This proposal received broad support and is set for further deliberation at the ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM+3) in April 2026.

• The SAFE Facility: The DOF continues to champion the Sovereign Asset and Fiscal Empowerment (SAFE) Facility, a mechanism designed to integrate disaster insurance directly into infrastructure and development projects funded by bilateral and multilateral partners.

• ASEAN+3 Fiscal Exchange: Led by the Philippines and Japan, this platform remains a vital conduit for Finance Ministries to exchange best practices and strengthen the region’s collective fiscal health.

The DOF maintained that while each nation must manage its own domestic economic pressures, a unified regional approach is the only sustainable way to safeguard stability. By fostering a proactive environment of mutual support, the ASEAN+3 economies aim to build a resilient financial shield that protects the livelihoods of citizens across the region.

Authorities stated that the difference between the projected and actual figures was due to several factors, particularly changes in people’s travel planning behavior. The government will further assess these patterns to improve planning and better accommodate future holiday travel demand.

At the same time, the government revealed that road accidents during the holiday period declined compared to the previous year, indicating improved safety standards. The overall improvement in travel conditions was attributed to close coordination between government agencies and transport operators across all sectors.

In addition, this success was supported by the rapid dissemination of information by the media, enabling travelers to plan their trips more effectively. The government also commended the public for complying with official measures, which helped ensure smooth and efficient traffic flow throughout the holiday period.

Source : Antara News Agency

In terms of production capacity, Thailand currently operates five refineries producing approximately 35.28 million liters of gasoline per day, closely matching daily consumption of 34.41 million liters. For diesel, six refineries produce around 79.91 million liters per day, which adequately meets domestic demand averaging 67–70 million liters daily.

Meanwhile, authorities have intensified oversight of the oil market, including inspections of operators suspected of opportunistic price increases. Key oil storage facilities have also been examined, with no evidence of stockpiling detected.

Additionally, the Department of Energy Business has collaborated with the private sector to launch the “Pump Radar” application, allowing the public to monitor fuel availability in real

time. This is supported by coordinated efforts among relevant agencies to ease certain logistical constraints and accelerate nationwide fuel distribution.

Overall, the government emphasized that national oil reserves covering commercial stocks, legally mandated reserves, and contracted future supplies remain at adequate levels. It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining price stability and effectively managing supply to minimize the impact on the public.

Source and Photo Credit: NBT World

The Ministry of Communication and Digital said the move reflects compliance with national regulations and efforts to enhance online child safety.

X confirmed it will enforce the rule starting March 27, 2026, including identifying and deactivating underage accounts. The Ministry will monitor implementation to ensure compliance.

Authorities have also urged other Electronic System Providers (PSEs) to take similar action.

Under PP Tunas, accounts of users under 16 on high-risk platforms will be removed to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and digital fraud.

Source: Antara News

While the government has resources to act quickly, it will first implement measures announced under Budget 2026, including utility rebates and business support, while closely monitoring the situation.

Rising global energy prices, driven by the conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, could push up electricity costs in the coming months. A prolonged blockage of the key shipping route may also have wider impacts on the global economy, affecting sectors such as food, fertiliser and semiconductor production.

Despite this, Singapore’s energy supply remains secure. Authorities have urged the public to conserve energy and use more efficient appliances.

PM Wong also warned that beyond economic risks, the situation could weaken international rules and increase global instability, stressing the importance of cooperation to uphold a rules-based order.

Source: The Straits Times