Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) will impose strict measures, such as searches of personal belongings, to crack down on vapes in schools following a "surge" in the number of students using them.
E-cigarette liquid bottles of various flavours are seen at a store in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo:bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’🎉s Officeof the Basic Education Commission (Obec) will impose strict measures, such assearches of personal belongings, to crack down on vapes in schools following a"surge" in the number of students usi♔ng them.
Thee Pawangkanan, deputy secretary-general of Obec, said thegovernment is concerned that students aged 13–15 are increasingly usinge-cigarettes. There have also been cases of vape use among first gradersaged between six and seven - the youngestsmokers.
According to Pawangkanan, vapes aremade to look like cartoon character figures and they smell fruity, which couldmislead parents, teachers, and students into thinking they are safe to consume.Meanwhile, health records have shown that vapes can severely damage the lungs.
The official stressed that Obec is highly concerned and willask for the parents' help in looking into the matter.
One of the measures Obec is 🍬looking to employ is searches ofstudents' bags before they enter classrooms to screen for ill൲egal andinappropriate objects, including e-cigarettes.
Pawangkanan said the measures will be imposed at schools starting onMay 15, the first day of the new term, to prevent dangerous and illegal goodsin products.
Thailand’s ℱCustoms Department onApril 7 arrested a total of 211 smugglers ofcigarettes and vapes worth 34.11 million THB (930,000 USD) in total into thecountry between March 1 a♋nd April 5./.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan has proposed to open a monkey control centre in Lop Buri to sterilise wild monkeys and transfer them to other areas, in an attempt to solve the problems they cause in the town.
Air pollution in Thailand's Chiang Mai has improved from last year, and hopes are rising for good air quality in the future in the northern province and its main city, provincial Governor Nirat Wongsitthithavorn has said.
Thailand’s Nation Story newspaper has run a story suggesting experiences not to be missed in Phu Quoc island of Vietnam, highlighting that local tourism service prices are half of those in Thailand, and recommending visitors to spend at least five days to fully enjoy the “pearl island”.
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.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
E-cigarette liquid bottles of various flavours are seen at a store in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo:bangkokpost.com) 
