Thailand opens upgraded Highway 101 link from Nan to Laos border
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Thailand has fully opened the upgraded 33.8-kilometre Highway 101 section from Ban Pon to Chaloem Phra Kiat district in Nan province, improving travel safety, logistics, tourism and border trade links with Laos.
Anutin takes back EEC to lead new investment push, source says
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
A Government House source says Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will personally oversee the EEC to reposition it as Thailand’s flagship investment project, denying conflict with Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn or links to the three-airport rail dispute.
Mahidol, Chula and Chiang Mai open GenEd courses across campuses for first time
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Mahidol, Chulalongkorn and Chiang Mai universities launch MC² GenEd, allowing undergraduates to take general education courses across the three institutions from the 2026 academic year.
TH-AI Passport shifts to pay-per-use model to ease budget concerns
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
The TH-AI Passport project will adopt a pay-per-use model for Pro and Premium AI services, addressing concerns that the state could carry the full Bt1.62bn budget burden.
Xi and Min Aung Hlaing discuss deeper bilateral cooperation
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Talks focused on strategic cooperation, the economic corridor, reconstruction aid, shared security and efforts to combat online gambling and telecom fraud.
Phiphat says he was not informed before losing EEC oversight
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says he was not told in advance that his EEC oversight would be revoked, denying a reduced role or Bhumjaithai rift.
Another leaked US-Iran draft reveals 12-point framework
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
A newly leaked 12-point draft agreement between the United States and Iran, reported by the New York Post and Israel’s Channel 12, could mark a major turning point in the Middle East, with the text reportedly opening the way for Iran and Gulf Arab states to play a role in managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.