Author: Wadi

Ministry Targets Global Standards Thailand’s Ministry of Transport announced plans on June 21, 2025, to elevate Ranong Port into a regional logistics hub, aligning with efforts to enhance seaport services to international levels. The initiative, discussed during a June 20, 2025, meeting, seeks to position Ranong as a key gateway for trade and investment across the Andaman Sea, strengthening Thailand’s role in global maritime networks. Boosting Regional Connectivity Collaboration with Chittagong Port Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri emphasized Ranong’s potential during a joint meeting under a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port. The partnership aims to streamline maritime routes,…

Leaked Call Sparks Outrage Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s credibility took a severe hit after a leaked June 15, 2025, phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen went viral, as reported on June 21, 2025. In the audio, Paetongtarn’s conciliatory tone and remarks about a Thai army commander as an “opponent” drew accusations of undermining sovereignty, prompting nationwide protests and calls for her resignation from royalist and nationalist groups. Senate Election Collusion Probe Over 130 Senators Under Scrutiny A parallel scandal engulfs Thailand’s Senate, with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Election Commission (EC) probing over 130 “blue-affiliated” senators…

Supreme Court to Examine Ethics Violations The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) is preparing to deliver its investigation results concerning three doctors linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital transfer to the Supreme Court, as reported on June 21, 2025. The probe, initiated after a May 8, 2025, MCT board meeting, focuses on ethical breaches during Thaksin’s medical care, raising questions about preferential treatment during his 2023 imprisonment. Disciplinary Actions Against Doctors License Suspensions Proposed The MCT’s inquiry targeted three doctors from the Medical Correctional Institution and Police General Hospital, finding ethical violations in their handling of Thaksin’s treatment…

Outrage Over Leaked Audio On June 21, 2025, protests erupted across Thailand, with citizens demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s resignation or the dissolution of parliament following a leaked audio of her conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The recording, which surfaced online, sparked fury for allegedly undermining Thailand’s sovereignty and military, intensifying public distrust in her leadership after just 10 months in office. Controversial Remarks Fuel Anger Perceived Betrayal of National Interests In the leaked call, Paetongtarn is heard addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and offering to accommodate his requests, while referring to the 2nd Army Region commander as…

ASEAN’s Premier Manufacturing Event Manufacturing Expo 2025 kicked off on June 18, 2025, at Bangkok’s BITEC, uniting over 2,000 brands from 30 countries in a 45,000-square-meter showcase of cutting-edge technology. Organized by RX Tradex, the event, running until June 21, 2025, features seven specialized exhibitions, cementing its status as ASEAN’s leading platform for industrial transformation, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Minister Champions Resilient Industry Strategies for Thailand’s Growth Industry Minister Akanat Promphan opened the expo with a keynote on “Reshaping Strategies for Thailand’s Manufacturing Resilience.” He urged a shift from low-cost production to innovation-driven, eco-friendly processes, targeting at…

Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn Dismissed NACC Uncovers Bidding Fraud Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, head of Thailand’s Office of National Parks, was removed from civil service on June 6, 2025, following a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigation, as reported on June 16, 2025. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment acted on findings that Chaiwat manipulated bidding processes and falsified documents during his tenure as chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, marking a significant blow to public trust in park management. Serious Violations Prompt Action Construction Project Under Scrutiny The NACC’s ruling pinpointed Chaiwat’s involvement in rigging a construction project’s bidding process, a serious breach…

Aung San Suu Kyi’s 80th Birthday Myanmar’s beloved democratic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, turned 80 on June 19, 2025, confined in a junta prison in Naypyidaw, where she faces a 27-year sentence. A global symbol of resistance, she remains isolated, serving time on charges like corruption and violating Covid-19 rules after the military’s 2021 coup. Her son, Kim Aris, expressed sorrow over the milestone, noting the family’s enduring resilience amid her prolonged captivity. Health Concerns Cast a Shadow Fears for Her Well-Being Kim Aris, speaking from the UK, voiced deep concerns about his mother’s health, citing untreated issues with…

Demonstrators Target Paetongtarn Shinawatra Hundreds of protesters converged near Government House in Bangkok on June 19, 2025, calling for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s resignation following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The demonstration, fueled by outrage over the call’s perceived conciliatory tone, reflects growing discontent with Paetongtarn’s leadership, amplifying Thailand’s political volatility. Leaked Call Ignites Public Fury Royalist Sentiments Flare Up The leaked June 15, 2025, conversation, in which Paetongtarn referred to a Thai army commander as an “opponent,” prompted accusations of undermining national pride. Royalist activists, wielding placards like “Thai government with Khmer heart Get…

The Role of ‘Porn’ in Names Thai names featuring the syllable “porn,” written as “พร” in Thai script, often catch foreigners off guard due to their resemblance to an English term with negative connotations. Names like Somporn, Pornthip, or Phattaraporn, common in Thailand, reflect a rich cultural practice rather than anything inappropriate, as highlighted in a June 19, 2025, report. This syllable carries a deep, positive meaning rooted in Thai language and tradition. Cultural Misunderstandings Abroad Challenges for Thais Overseas For English-speaking audiences, encountering names with “porn” can lead to surprise or amusement, sometimes causing discomfort for Thais in international…

Call for National Solidarity Thailand’s Royal Thai Army chief, Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, called for national unity on June 19, 2025, dismissing speculation of a military coup amid political and border tensions. Speaking through spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree at army headquarters in Bangkok, Gen Pana emphasized the military’s commitment to democracy and sovereignty, urging Thais to stand together against divisive forces, as reported on June 19, 2025. Political Turmoil Fuels Concerns Leaked Call Sparks Outrage The statement follows a leaked June 15, 2025, phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, where she labeled a…