ASEAN welcomes friendly Japan-ROK ties

13 Sept 14:55 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN welcomes the restoration of friendly ties and cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), recognizing their crucial role as economic giants and members of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) in driving regional integration and stability.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol are credited for actively mending relations after a decade-long hiatus, with Yoon prioritizing future cooperation over immediate resolution of historical issues.
The two nations have taken concrete steps to restore their relationship, including rolling back security and economic sanctions and renewing cooperation under the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which is pivotal for Korean Peninsula security and mediated by the US.
Both Japan and ROK are deepening their engagement with ASEAN; Japan is set to become a comprehensive strategic partner (CSP) this year, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, while ROK aims for CSP status next year, celebrating 35 years of ties.

Government to start building Chainat-Pasak-Gulf water diversion canal next year

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.