Author: Wadi

Constitutional Court’s Decision Paetongtarn Faces Ethics Probe On July 1, 2025, Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties, pending an ethics investigation into a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The unanimous decision by nine judges to accept a petition from 36 senators, followed by a 7-2 vote to suspend her, marks a significant blow to her leadership, amid heightened tensions over a border dispute with Cambodia. Details of the Leaked Call Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage The controversy stems from a June 15, 2025, phone conversation in which Paetongtarn allegedly criticized the 2nd…

Overwhelming Public Response System Crash Frustrates Users On July 1, 2025, the launch of Thailand’s “Tiew Thai Khon La Krueng” travel subsidy campaign was met with unprecedented enthusiasm, as thousands of Thai citizens rushed to register, causing the system to crash within hours. The initiative, designed to boost domestic tourism during the low season, saw both the Amazing Thailand and ThaID apps falter under the weight of demand, leaving users unable to access promised travel discounts. Campaign Aims and Promises Boosting Domestic Travel The “Tiew Thai Khon La Krueng” program, translating to “Travel Thai Half-Half,” offers subsidies of up to…

Defence Post Vacancy Sparks Debate Speculation Surrounds Gen Chalermpol On July 1, 2025, Thailand’s latest cabinet reshuffle, published in the Royal Gazette, left the defence minister position unfilled, fueling widespread speculation. Sources suggest the vacancy may be reserved for Gen Chalermpol Srisawat, a former senator and chief of defence forces, known for his leadership during the 2021 Royal Thai Navy exercises. This unexpected move has drawn attention amid Thailand’s ongoing border tensions with Cambodia, raising questions about strategic intent. Interim Leadership Assigned Gen Nattaphon Steps In Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit has been appointed acting defence minister to manage…

Massive Auction Success Telecom Giants Secure Key Bands On June 29, 2025, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) completed an auction of mobile spectrum bands, raising over 41 billion baht. Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Corporation won the 1500MHz, 2100MHz, and 2300MHz bands, strengthening their 5G networks. The auction, finalized in just one hour, highlights Thailand’s drive to enhance digital connectivity in 2025. AIS Captures 2100MHz Band Premium Bids for High Capacity Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), an AIS subsidiary, secured all three 10MHz sets of the 2100MHz band for 14 billion baht, a 10% premium over the 4.5…

Major Crackdown Launched Raids Target Fraudulent Operations On June 26, 2025, Thailand’s Revenue Department (RD) and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) executed a sweeping operation, dismantling a sophisticated value-added tax (VAT) fraud ring responsible for over 1 billion baht in state losses. The raids, conducted across 14 locations in Tak, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, targeted a network orchestrating fake transactions to exploit VAT refunds, a scheme that has shaken Thailand’s tax system. Key Arrests Made Ringleader and Accomplices Detained The operation led to the arrest of 63-year-old Samran Naowarat, identified as the mastermind, along with nine associates. They face serious charges,…

Firm Stance Against Military Action Party Issues Clear Directive On June 30, 2025, the People’s Party, Thailand’s leading opposition group, issued a stern reminder to its members, prohibiting any support for military coups to resolve the ongoing political turmoil. Secretary-general Sarayut Jailak’s public memo emphasized that members must not cross the “party line” by endorsing or participating in activities that could encourage military intervention, reinforcing the party’s commitment to democratic solutions. Demand for Democratic Resolution Call for House Dissolution The party reiterated its demand for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives, allowing voters to decide the…

Tragic Findings Released Investigation Pinpoints Flaws On June 30, 2025, Thai investigators revealed that design and construction flaws caused the collapse of a 30-story State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district during a March 28 earthquake, claiming 89 lives. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the findings, highlighting critical errors in the building’s structural integrity, a tragedy that has sparked nationwide calls for stricter construction oversight. Key Structural Failures Elevator and Stairwell Issues The investigation, conducted by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning alongside Chulalongkorn, Kasetsart, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, identified improper design…

Opposition Gains Momentum Bhumjaithai Leads No-Confidence Push On June 30, 2025, the Bhumjaithai Party, recently withdrawn from the ruling coalition, drafted a censure motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, citing her controversial phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen as a threat to national security. The party, led by Anutin Charnvirakul, aims to rally other opposition groups, including the Palang Pracharath Party, to support the no-confidence debate, escalating Thailand’s political turmoil. Details of the Controversial Call Allegations of Disloyalty Bhumjaithai’s spokeswoman, Boonyathida Somchai, criticized Paetongtarn for allegedly speaking negatively about the Second Army Region’s commander during the June 15…

Economic Slowdown Confirmed Central Bank Reports Decline Thailand’s economy weakened in May 2025, driven by a slowdown in tourism and manufacturing, despite a surge in exports, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT). The downturn, reported on June 30, 2025, highlights challenges in key sectors, with the economy facing a delicate balance as global demand shifts. This slowdown follows a robust April, signaling volatility in Thailand’s economic recovery. Tourism Sector Struggles Fewer Long-Haul Visitors The tourism industry, a cornerstone of Thailand’s economy, saw a significant decline in May, with both revenue and foreign tourist numbers dropping. Long-haul travelers, particularly from…

Fatal Crash in Phasi Charoen Speeding Mini Cooper Strikes Motorcycle On June 29, 2025, a red Mini Cooper speeding through Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district collided with a motorcycle, taking out one person and leaving another critically injured. The incident, which occurred around 6 AM near Soi Phetkasem 19, highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Thailand, where motorbike accidents account for 80% of road fatalities, per 2024 government data. Details of the Collision Victims Suffer Severe Injuries The crash happened as the Mini Cooper descended a bridge, striking the rear of a motorcycle driven by 27-year-old taxi driver Dulyawat Nilkoet.…