Oil prices remain elevated, pushing demand for electric vehicles (EV) in Thailand. This is reflected in the number of orders for EVs at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show.
People visit the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show. (Photo: motoshow.in.th)
Bangkok (VNA) – Oil prices remain elevated,pushing demand for electric vehicles (EV) in Thailand. This isreflected in the number of orders for EVs at the 44th Bangkok InternatioꦯnalMotor Show.
Industry Ministry Permanent Secretary Nattapol Rangsitpolsaid the show held from March 20 to April 2 with the participation of 40automobile and motorcycle makers attracted 1.62 million visitors. At the event, over 42,880 automobiles were ordered, anincrease of 34.45% compared with the figure at the last year's show. Notably,21.53% of all automobile orders, or over 9,230 ones, were EVs. Nattapol said EVs have gained more popularity due tosupporting measures from the government that brought EV prices down. Meanwhile,consumers now have greater confidence in EV standards. Automakers have alsobeen launching a diverse range of new EV models and carrying out salespromotion campaigns for EVs. He said that the Ministry of Industry has provided the EVindustry with supportive factors, for example, the establishment of standardsassociated with all types of EVs, including those for cars, pickup trucks,buses, cargo trucks, motorcycles, and tricycles. Standards were alsoestablished for batteries and charging stations. A total of 128 standards wereestablished in all. The ministry also developed the Automotive and TyreTesting, Research and Innovation Center (ATTRIC) – the first of its kind in theASEAN region - to improve automobile standards, facilitate research on automobileperformance and support the testing of prototypes. Nattapol said the ministry has also worked with relevantagencies to lay down a vision for Thailand to become a major electric vehiclesand parts manufacturing centre. Thailand targets to produce 725,000 electric automobilesper year by 2030, accounting for 30% of the country’s automobile production,Nattapol said, adding that it will add no less than 200 billion baht (nearly 6 billion USD) of valueto the economy./.
A national committee on electronic vehicle (EV) policy of Thailand, also known as the EV board, on February 2 agreed in principle on a proposal to lower the excise tax on EV batteries from the current 8% to just 1% while offering a 24 billion THB (730 million USD) subsidy to the EV battery-producing industry.
Indonesian Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has met with the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choo Kyung-Ho in Seoul to discuss investment opportunities in electric vehicle (EV) production and tourism.
Several agreements will be sealed during the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in May this year, including the one on the development of electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, according to Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
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.
People visit the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show. (Photo: motoshow.in.th) 
