Asean
Thai Prime Minister cancels trip to APEC summit
Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday said she has cancelled her plan to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Summit Nov 12-15, saying she is obliged to focus on the flood crisis response at home.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday said she has cancelled her plan to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Summit Nov 12-15, saying she is obliged to focus on the flood crisis response at home.
Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na Ranong has been assigned to represent her at the Hawaii meeting, she said. However, the schedule to attend the Association of South East Asian Nations ASEAN leaders meeting in Bali, Indonesia Nov 17-19 remains unchanged.
Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng earlier told reporters that the prime minister would attend the 19th ASEAN Summit next week and she would use the meeting as arena to rebuild confidence among foreign investors on Thailand after the country has been severely hit by the flood crisis, which caused seven industrial estates and parks to close.Ms Yingluck will also take the opportunity to explain to the international community Thailands rehabilitation measures and assure foreign investors of her governments plan to support flood-affected foreign factories.
via Thai PM cancels plan to attend APEC summit.
The flooding situation in Thailand is mainly affecting the central provinces along the Chao Phraya River including Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Other popular tourist destinations in the central region including Pattaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi and Koh Chang have not been affected by the floods. Tourist destinations in the south of Thailand including Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Hat Yai and Phang-Na; and in the north including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai, also have not been affected by the floods.
Flood waters in Ayutthaya and some other central provinces have begun to subside, although many areas are not yet fully accessible. Tourist attractions in Ayutthaya will reopen once they have been restored.
Events relating to Loi Krathong, an ancient tradition that has been celebrated since the Sukhothai Era, will still take place in many locations throughout Thailand including Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Hat Yai and Surat Thani during November 8 to 10. Some Loi Krathong events have been cancelled in Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri due to the flood.
Asean
The Latest on Covid-19 in Southeast Asia
Thailand has largely avoided widespread community transmission of Covid-19, but the kingdom is not faring well on the economic front, with a projected contraction of 7.1 percent this year.

As a region, Southeast Asia has fared relatively well in keeping coronavirus cases low, with the notable exceptions of the Philippines and Indonesia.
(more…)Laos
China’s debt-trap diplomacy: Laos’ credit rating downgraded to CCC
Laos’ debt challenge is deeply concerning, with some media commentators suggesting the country is falling into a debt trap as a result of Chinese infrastructure investments connected to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

On 23 September, the Fitch Ratings agency downgraded Laos’ credit rating to CCC — the second downgrade in 2020, having dropped to B- in May.
(more…)Vietnam
Foreign capital still heads to Vietnam
As many as 798 projects added a combined over 5.11 billion USD to their investment capital, down 23 percent year-on-year in project number but up 6.8 percent in value.

Hanoi (VNA) – The total amount of foreign investment poured into Vietnam this year to September 20 reached 21.2 billion USD, equivalent to 81.8 percent of the same period last year, reported the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
(more…)-
Economics1 week ago
96% of Foreign Investors still confident in Thailand says BOI
-
Investment5 days ago
Thailand Saw $1.7 billion Applications in Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Investments in 2020, BOI Says
-
National2 days ago
Thai cabinet allows illegal migrant workers to sign up for 2-year work permit
-
Tourism1 day ago
Thai Government imposes ban on gatherings over New Year 2021 holidays