The public is urged to follow five key precautions, including avoiding close contact with individuals who have skin rashes or blisters, being cautious when engaging in sexual activity with unfamiliar individuals and seeking medical testing if returning from Central or East Africa or the Middle East.
Monkeypox cases reach 40 for the year, govt urges caution (Photo: Bangkok Post)
Bangkok (VNA)ꦛ – The Thai government said there have been 40 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Thailand so far this year, with officials urging vigilance, particularly among high-risk groups and travellers returning from affected regions.
Deputy government spokesman Anukul Pruksanusak said on July 12 that while the number of cases in 2025 is lower than in previous years with 176 cases in 2024, and 676 cases in 2023, the disease has not disappeared. The domestic death toll stands at 13 since the virus was first detected in the country in July 2022.
The Department of Disease Control will step up monitoring and screening, especially for international arrivals, amid concerns about more virulent strains from overseas. The variant currently circulating in Thailand is not considered severe, he said.
According to Anukul, monkeypox continues to affect high-risk groups and that preventive measures are critical.
The government advises using condoms during sexual activity, particularly for those with multiple partners, as it can reduce the risk of monkeypox and other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and syphilis. The latter has shown signs of increasing spread in recent months, he said.
The public is urged to follow five key precautions, including avoiding close contact with individuals who have skin rashes or blisters, being cautious when engaging in sexual activity with unfamiliar individuals and seeking medical testing if returning from Central or East Africa or the Middle East.
Those undergoing testing are advised to isolate personal items and wear face masks when around others./.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) on August 5 announced the discovery of the fourth confirmed monkeypox case in a 22-year-old woman, the first female infection found in the country.
Currently, no suspected cases of this disease have been identified in Thailand. Nevertheless, the DDC has enhanced surveillance, prevention, and control measures, including stricter screening protocols at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Eye and facial recognition technology will be used in a pilot project in Thailand, aimed at improving healthcare services for foreign workers, refugees and ethnic people in five provinces, the Thai Department of Disease Control has said.
In its Pre-Budget Statement 2026, the ministry stated that growth will be anchored by resilient domestic demand, particularly through private investment, stable employment, and income-enhancing measures such as targeted cash transfers and wage increases.
Singapore is at risk of chikungunya transmission as the number of reported cases this year has more than doubled compared to last year, the country’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has reported.
On August 11, major RoK outlets, including Yonhap News Agency, KBS, The Korea Herald, and The Korea Times, provided prominent coverage of the talks held the same day between General Secretary Lam and President Lee Jae Myung, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, security, technology, and culture.
The Singaporean government needs to enable people, workers and businesses to make full use of these tools, and enhance their competitive advantage. It “will walk this journey” with Singaporeans as it has done for the past six decades, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm both ASEAN member states' and partners’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and narrowing development gaps.
Thailand emits roughly 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, with the energy and industrial sectors accounting for more than 75% of this amount. Though this volume represents just 1% of global emissions, the Thai Government is eager to achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050.
The Malaysian government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable, and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix.
It aims to identify and honour digital technology initiatives, products, and solutions with practical applications; promote creativity in technology development; anticipate trends and development potential in digital technology; and recognise the role of digital technology in economic growth and enhancing quality of life for citizens in ASEAN countries.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
