Thap Lan land hand-back defended as govt seeks balance between villagers and forest protection
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation says the plan to remove 155,865 rai from Thap Lan National Park is meant to resolve decades-old land-rights disputes while protecting the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai World Heritage forest.
Japanese fans win hearts by cleaning Dallas Stadium after World Cup draw
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Japanese football fans have once again won admiration on the world stage after staying behind to clean Dallas Stadium following Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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.
Thailand prepares tighter rules for optical shops under health law
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
A draft ministerial regulation would require eye-testing and spectacles-fitting services to seek licences, register providers and meet legal standards.
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.