Dwight Jason Ronan

Into international development, SE Asian affairs, and travel.

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Isn’t it fascinating that to many UPLB grads, we say ‘uuwi ako ng LB’, instead of ‘pupunta ako ng LB’? Los Baños will always be our home.

Thank you for this short yet sweet homecoming, Elbi. Profoundly grateful and humbled by this recognition. #UPLBLoyaltyDay2022

[Australian Embassy Thailand @AusAmbBKK]

🇦🇺 supports inclusive infrastructure development in the Mekong subregion through #MekongSafeguards.

Last week, we joined the training led by @Asia_Foundation for disability-led groups in Ayutthaya on effective advocacy and communication tools. #MekongAustraliaPartnership

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Disability-led groups in Ayutthaya sharing their experiences of how large infrastructure projects have impacted their communities.

Through Mekong Safeguards, @Asia_Foundation is promoting more inclusive and people-centered infrastructure development. #MekongAustraliaPartnership

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Mythical masks of Phi Ta Khon.

In the small town of Dan Sai in the northeastern province of Loei, locals celebrate Phi Ta Khon, one of Thailand's most vibrant and distinctive festivals. #loei #thailand

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Yaowarat’s darkest secrets.

Beyond the blinding lights and famous street food, Bangkok’s Chinatown holds a darker history—from alleys linked to opium trade, temples marking execution sites of royal descendants, and streets once part of city's red-light area. #bangkok #thailand

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Filed under: Best nature spot in Thailand

Deep inside Khao Sok National Park are the towering limestone cliffs of Cheow Lan Lake. #khaosok #suratthani #thailand

[Australian Embassy in Laos @AusAmbLaos]

🇦🇺🤝🇱🇦 When women lead, communities thrive. I met President Mme Aly of Lao Women's Union to reaffirm our shared commitment to gender equality, from ending child marriage to empowering women in SMEs through #RT4D & #TUSIP #BEQUAL #AustraliaLaos #GenderEquality #WomensEmpowerment

[Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) @RegTrade4Dev]

🇱🇦🌿 Strengthening inclusive local product development and e-commerce skills in Lao PDR

📅 21–22 May 2026 | Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR — Australia and New Zealand’s Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) and the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), in partnership with the Institute for Industry, Commerce and Energy (IICE), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, delivered a two-day capacity-building workshop on ODOP Development and E-Commerce.

🧺 ODOP — One District, One Product — supports local producers to develop distinctive products rooted in local skills, culture and resources. Strengthening ODOP products can help communities improve quality, reach new markets and create more inclusive economic opportunities.

👥✨ The workshop brought together around 40 MSMEs, entrepreneurs, ODOP producers and People with Disability to build practical skills in product development, packaging, certification, digital marketing, e-commerce and AI tools.

📦💻 Across two days, participants worked on strengthening product competitiveness, improving packaging, exploring online sales channels, and connecting with finance and business support services.

🤝 Participants also showcased their products, supporting peer learning, networking and potential business linkages.

📈 The workshop supported more inclusive and sustainable MSME development in Lao PDR, helping ODOP producers — particularly women and People with Disability — access opportunities in domestic and regional markets, including under RCEP.

#ODOP #MSMEs #ECommerce #RCEP #GEDSI #InclusiveTrade #LaoPDR #MekongAustraliaPartnership #RT4D

@AusAmbLaos @NZinASEAN @AusAmbASEAN @DFAT_TradeTalk @MFATNZ

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Two popular waterfalls in Khao Yai are Haew Narok and Haew Suwat. #nakhonnayok #nakhonratchasima #thailand

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Just a day’s drive from Bangkok, visitors come to Khao Yai National Park for its dense forests, rich biodiversity, and accessible hiking trails, including the Nong Phak Chi. #nakhonnayok #thailand

[Australian Embassy Thailand @AusAmbBKK]

🌈 Rainbows were definitely out after today’s rain, with our embassy staff, families and friends among the thousands at #BangkokPride2026!

We’re proud to celebrate love and diversity with the LGBTIQA+ community, and will continue to champion inclusion and equality. 🏳️‍🌈

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Riverside life in Thonburi.

Long before concrete highways, waterways shaped daily life in Bangkok. In Thonburi, life still revolves around the river and canals, with many neighborhoods lining khlongs connected to the Chao Phraya River. #bangkok #thailand

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Researchers from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam engaging with farming communities in Champasak Province to learn about the challenges they face in adapting to a changing climate and strengthening their livelihoods.
#MekongAustraliaPartnership

@WorldVisionAus @UTSEngage

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Pakse sunset. #pakse #champasak #laos

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Patuxay sunset. #vientiane #laos

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Mekong bright lights. #vientiane #laos

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

This week, partners from across the Mekong subregion and Australia came together to reflect on the achievements and lessons learned in addressing shared regional and transboundary challenges. #MekongAustraliaPartnership

[Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) @RegTrade4Dev]

🇻🇳 Building capacity: Launch advances RCEP use for inclusive digital trade

📅 23 March — Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade with support from Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) and the Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP) launched a project in Hanoi to facilitate use of RCEP for micro and small enterprises, prioritising digital trade and inclusion. 📈

🤝 50+ stakeholders attended, including government, industry, business support organisations and embassies.

🗺️ Participants agreed on a clear roadmap to raise RCEP awareness and reduce barriers for small businesses.

👩‍💼♿ The workshop captured inputs from women‑led, rural and disability‑inclusive enterprises to inform next steps.

The project will strengthen MSMEs’ capacity of small businesses to access digital trade and regional markets under RCEP.

#MSME #DigitalTrade #InclusiveTrade #vietnam #RCEP #rt4d #MekongAustraliaPartnership

@NZinASEAN @AusAmbASEAN @DFAT_TradeTalk @MFATNZ

[Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) @RegTrade4Dev]

🇱🇦🌿 Fostering inclusive One District One Product (ODOP) development in Lao PDR

📅 31 March 2026 — The Institute for Industry, Commerce and Energy (IICE), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, with support from Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) and the Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP), launched the project “Empowering Women and People with Disability through ODOP Development, Packaging Design, and E-Commerce” in Vientiane Capital.

🌱✨ By improving product quality, certification pathways, and safe e-commerce practices, the project aims to help women, people with disability, and micro & small enterprises grow businesses, increase incomes and build resilience across Lao PDR.

🏛️🤝 Over 60 participants from government, development partners, private sector, GEDSI representatives, and producer groups joined the launch. The event created a strong platform for dialogue to refine policy recommendations and strengthen collaboration.

🔄📈 This project moves research into action. It will strengthen the ODOP framework, build the capacity of IICE and SME Service Centers, and equip women-led and people with disability–inclusive MSMEs with skills in product development, packaging, certification, and e-commerce.

🛍️🌏 Through assessments, provincial training, policy dialogue and knowledge-sharing, the initiative will expand market access, strengthen producer networks and support inclusive participation in digital and regional trade under frameworks such as RCEP.

#RT4D #MekongAustraliaPartnership #RCEP #InclusiveTrade #WomensEconomicEmpowerment #LaoPDR

@AusAmbLaos @AusAmbASEAN @DFAT_TradeTalk

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

In parts of Thailand and Laos, locals celebrate the Bun Bang Fai Festival by launching handmade rockets believed to encourage rainfall.

This ritual is typically held around May before the start of the rice-growing season. #yasothon #thailand

[Dwight Jason Ronan @dwightronan]

Ubon's Wat Nong Bua. #ubonratchathani #thailand