The CAJ was founded in 1975 to forge cooperation among journalists in the region. The Confederation of Thai Journalists (CTJ), an umbrella organisation of Thai media associations, will host the assembly.

Industry Minister Uttama Savayana plans to address the assembly on Friday at the Emerald Hotel, addressing how the media needs to adjust to cope with the digital challenges in the socalled “Age of 4.0”.

Thepchai Yong, CTJ president, said media play a very important role in creating better understanding and bridging the diversity among member countries of the ASEAN community.

“The assembly will be an important occasion for CAJ to reemphasise its objective of promoting a healthy, free and responsible press as being crucial to national development,” said Thepchai.

At the assembly, Cambodia will officially become the latest member of the CAJ, while Myanmar will attend as an observer. 

“So we can say that the spirit of ASEAN will be in full display at the 19th General Assembly, “said Thepchai, adding that Thailand would take over the presidency of the CAJ from Vietnam at the assembly.

ASEAN delegates will also pay a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Kruengam at Government House on Thursday.

Thepchai said the assembly was supported by several government and private organizations, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Thailand’s Culture Ministry, AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, the KANN show, Nong Nooch Botanical Garden and Resort, SCB, King Power, DTAC, PTT, SCG and Akra Co.

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