B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited (BGRIM) has officially announced on 27 June 2025 that its subsidiary, RES Company Sicilia S.r.l., has acquired 100% of the shares in Apulia Green Energy 01 S.r.l. an Italian-registered company, from LT Service S.r.l. for a total value of EUR 10,000. The acquisition marks a strategic move into Italy’s battery energy storage market.
Dr. Harald Link, Group President of B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, revealed that Apulia Green Energy 01 S.r.l. is currently developing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project with a total planned capacity of 218 megawatts, located in southern Italy. In addition, RES Company Si cilia S.r.l. has partnered with LT Service S.r.l. to establish a new subsidiary, Cerignola BESS S.r.l., with a registered capital of EUR 10,000 and an equity structure of 51% and 49%, respectively. The new company will develop another BESS project with a capacity of 378 megawatts, also situated in southern Italy.
These initiatives mark BGRIM’s first foray into battery energy storage, forming part of its broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and enhance energy resilience. With the Apulia Green Energy 01 S.r.l. acquisition and the establishment of a new subsidiary in the Republic of Italy, BGRIM now has additional 600 megawatts of energy storage capacity under development.
This partnership reflects a significant step forward in advancing renewable energy development, enhancing energy efficiency, and supporting stable and clean energy in line with BGRIM’s long-term strategy “GreenLeap – Global and Green” and its corporate vision: “Empowering the World Compassionately”. BGRIM remains committed to expanding its customer base and renewable energy partnerships to meet global energy transition demands. BGRIM targets more than 50% renewable energy in its portfolio by 2030, with a long-term ambition to achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050.
Karon Beach is one of the most popular among Phuket’s coastlines, with a laid-back stretch of white sand and turquoise water. Its dining scene is also an attraction for visitors looking forward to indulging in authentic Thai cuisine. However, with so many options lining the beachfront and tucked into charming side streets, choosing the right restaurant in Karon Beach to dine at can be a slight challenge.
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose your next dining destination with a few reasons why Ocean Rhyme is a highly recommended choice.
Elegant Setting
Ambience counts for a lot when dining in a beachside destination like Karon. A restaurant location near the beach lets you enjoy your meal in a relaxed, tropical atmosphere where guests can savor delectable dishes, and conversation can flow easily during the meal. Get a fine dining experience when you dine at Ocean Rhyme, with plush, comfortable seating areas decorated with elegant interiors and a beautiful waterfall centerpiece.
Curated Menu
Ocean Rhyme offers an excellent balance of authentic Thai flavors and international cuisine. As a premier seafood restaurant in Phuket, it offers the freshest seafood combined with the finest herbs and spices and premium ingredients. Dishes include royal Thai cuisine or “choa waang” and local favorites. There’s a variety of rice and noodle dishes and salads, as well as a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pasta. There are also delectable Thai desserts to finish your meal on a perfect note.
Signature Drinks
Make sure to choose a restaurant in Karon Beach serving drinks that perfectly complement your meal. At Ocean Rhyme, diners choose from a variety of signature cocktails, alcoholic beverages, and fresh fruit shakes to quench their thirst and enhance their dining experience.
Unique Experiences
A great restaurant in Karon Beach should offer something you don’t get anywhere else. It might be a chef’s signature dish, a cooking class, or a themed dining experience that can turn a simple dinner into an extraordinary and unforgettable one. Ocean Rhyme offers cooking classes with a private chef, where you can learn hands-on techniques to cook authentic Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum, and other street food staples.
Personalized Service
It’s important to consider a restaurant with excellent service as well. Ocean Rhyme offers an exclusive 8-course Chef Table dining experience with curated menu options. Guests will receive personalized VIP service, including a private tour of a local market with a chef to hand-pick ingredients for their meal. Relax and enjoy a first-hand look at how dishes are prepared and cooked, listen to stories behind the ingredients and recipes, and savor the fresh flavors of every masterpiece cooked just for you.
Restaurant with a Story
Choose a restaurant with a reliable reputation for good food to make your dining experience in Phuket more interesting. Ocean Rhyme, for instance, has been around since 1986. Formerly known as Old Siam, it has built a solid following for its culinary offerings featuring fresh seafood and authentic Thai flavors. With over 30 years of experience in Thai cuisine, it continues to provide a vibrant dining experience, with market-style seafood displays, cook-it-yourself tables, and unique garden-to-table tours.
When choosing a restaurant in Karon Beach, consider the setting, the menu offerings, and the fine details that make the dining experience enjoyable and memorable. Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner or a place to celebrate a special occasion, dine at a restaurant that will easily be a highlight of your trip to Phuket.
Police Region 5 arrest 15 Chinese nationals and 2 Myanmar citizens in a major raid on a luxury house in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province, on July 1, 2025.
CHIANG MAI — Thai police have arrested 15 Chinese nationals and 2 Myanmar citizens in a major raid on a luxury house in Chiang Mai province, uncovering a sophisticated scamming operation that allegedly defrauded over 100,000 Chinese victims out of more than $15 million.
Police Region 5 Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Krittapon Yisakorn led a multi-agency task force including officers from the PCT (Police Cyber Taskforce), intelligence analysts, and specialized equipment units in the operation. The team surrounded and searched the upscale residence in a housing development in Ban Waen subdistrict, Hang Dong district.
Authorities had identified the property as a suspected base for Chinese scammers, with Thai nationals allegedly serving as nominees in the house purchase to provide cover for the illegal operation targeting mainland Chinese citizens.
Police Cyber Taskforce officers inspect computers during a July 1, 2025 raid on a luxury Chiang Mai house used by Chinese suspects for scamming operations.
The raid resulted in the confiscation of 10 computers and 26 mobile phones as evidence. All 17 suspects were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the public and participation in organized crime.
The operation followed investigations revealing that Chinese scammers had spread their network across Thailand, purchasing or renting houses, hotels, and condominiums. These properties served as bases for phone networks used to lure overseas Chinese into online gambling or to visit casinos established by Chinese investors in neighboring countries.
Police Cyber Taskforce seize 26 mobile phones as evidence during a July 1, 2025 raid on a luxury Chiang Mai house used by Chinese suspects for scamming operations.
The scammers used Thailand as a central hub for social media and telephone coordination to deceive Chinese targets. Beyond gambling schemes, the operation also functioned as a call center for various other fraudulent activities.
According to police estimates, the network victimized more than 100,000 Chinese citizens, with total damages exceeding 100 million yuan (approximately $15 million USD).
Authorities continue investigating to identify additional co-conspirators and related networks involved in the operation.
M.R. Kukrit Pramoj, Thai Prime Minister, and Zhou Enlai, Chinese Premier, signing the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China on July 1, 1975. (Photo from "China-Thailand Relations" book by the Information Office of the State Council of China).
BANGKOK — Exactly half a century ago, Thailand and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in a groundbreaking ceremony marked by an unexpected hour-long audience with Chairman Mao Zedong that almost didn’t happen.
Reporting was contributed by Suchit Wongthet and Suthichai Yoon from Prachachat Newspaper, filing remotely from Beijing.
The historic meeting on July 1, 1975, came together with just 30 minutes’ notice, after Chinese doctors cleared the 81-year-old Communist Party leader to receive the Thai delegation led by Prime Minister M.R. Kukrit Pramoj.
Last-Minute Diplomacy
The Thai delegation had arrived in Beijing the previous day aboard a special Thai Airways flight, welcomed by Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and enthusiastic crowds. But the meeting with Mao remained uncertain until the morning of July 1.
Deng Xiaoping, Chinese Vice Premier, welcoming the Thai government delegation led by Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj in Beijing on June 30, 1975.
While Kukrit and his team were enjoying cultural performances at the Beijing Ethnic Minority Centre, watching ballet rehearsals and classical music, a Chinese official delivered urgent news at 9:00 a.m.: Chairman Mao would receive them at 10:20 a.m.
The rare audience included Kukrit, Foreign Minister Major General Chatchai Choonhavan, Thai Ambassador to the US Anand Panyarachun, and Government House Secretary General Prakaipet Intusophon. Mao had traveled from his summer residence specifically for the meeting.
An Hour of Unexpected Advice
What was typically a 15-minute protocol meeting stretched to a full hour in Zhongnanhai, with Mao’s doctor eventually intervening to ensure the chairman could rest.
Prime Minister M.R. Kukrit Pramoj (center) and Foreign Minister Major General Chatichai Choonhavan (right) meet with Chairman Mao Zedong during their rare audience at Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on July 1, 1975.
In a remarkable exchange, Mao offered three key strategies for dealing with communists:
Don’t insult them: “Communists are shameless,” Mao told the Thai delegation.
Avoid military force: “If you do, they will simply run away,” he said, citing Chiang Kai-shek’s failed military campaigns as an example.
Don’t make martyrs: “The more you kill them, the more they become heroes. In reality, communists want to be killed because it brings them glory.”
Instead, Mao recommended building prosperity: “The best way to fight communism is to build up the country and improve the lives of the people. If the people are well-fed and well-cared for, communism becomes meaningless.”
M.R. Kukrit Pramoj shaking hands with Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, at Zhongnanhai Palace on July 1, 1975.
‘World’s Number One Bad Man’
The meeting’s tone was surprisingly warm and informal. When Mao mentioned his advanced age, Kukrit responded with characteristic Thai directness: “The world can’t do without its number one bad man.” The comment sent Mao into hearty laughter.
“We got on really well, typical of Thai people, I suppose,” Kukrit later recalled. “We Thais are modest and humble, unlike the Westerners. When Chatchai and I sat down, we perched respectfully on the edge of our chairs. Chairman Mao seemed amused and spoke to us very affectionately.”
Historic Agreement Signed
That evening at 6:40 p.m., the formal ceremony took place at the rehabilitation clinic where Premier Zhou Enlai was recovering. Nineteen Thai and 13 Chinese representatives witnessed Kukrit and Zhou sign the landmark agreement.
M.R. Kukrit Pramoj, Thai Prime Minister, and Zhou Enlai, Chinese Premier, signing the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China on July 1, 1975. (Photo from “China-Thailand Relations” book by the Information Office of the State Council of China).
The 10-point joint communiqué addressed five critical issues:
National sovereignty: Affirming each country’s right to choose its political and economic system without foreign interference
Single nationality policy: China declared it would not recognize dual citizenship, automatically ending Chinese citizenship for ethnic Chinese who became Thai citizens
Non-interference: Both nations opposed foreign intervention and domination
One China recognition: Thailand acknowledged the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China
Anti-hegemony: Both countries pledged to resist global domination by any power or bloc
Thai and Chinese delegations taking a group photo at a reception banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with football players and media representatives also present, on June 30, 2025.
Personal Touches
The ceremony concluded with Chinese champagne, though Zhou Enlai drank tea on his doctor’s orders. Kukrit presented Zhou with a gold-trimmed packet of cigarettes, saying “Even if it is not valuable, I am proud to give it.” Zhou’s gracious response: “It is really very valuable.”
Radio Beijing broadcast the ceremony worldwide in Thai, marking Thailand’s diplomatic pivot toward professional diplomacy and decisive civilian leadership.
The July 1, 1975 agreement fundamentally reshaped Southeast Asian geopolitics, with
Thailand ending its previous anti-communist stance while China ceased support for the Communist Party of Thailand.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister from office pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
BANGKOK (AP) — The Constitutional Court’s suspension of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has raised questions about whether her family’s political comeback last year would end with another downfall.
Paetongtarn was the third prime minister in her family, after her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecom billionaire who has been one of Thailand’s top political operators, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who was the country’s first female prime minister. Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and Yingluck by a court ruling in 2014.
Thaksin remained beloved after his ouster among voters who saw in him and his allies a government that looked after their interests. While campaigning in 2022, Paetongtarn acknowledged her family ties but insisted she was not her father’s proxy. “It’s not the shadow of my dad. I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions,” she said.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses the media after the cabinet meeting on June 10, 2025, reaffirming her commitment to resolving border issues with Cambodia through negotiations on a case-by-case basis.
She also said she hoped her government would be able to “build opportunity and quality of life” and “make the country go forward.”
Paetongtarn was suspended Tuesday by the court pending an ethics investigation a leaked phone call with senior Cambodian leader Hun Sen that was perceived as damaging to Thailand’s interests and image.
Eroding trust capped by a diplomatic blunder
Her critics have said Paetongtarn’s government has achieved little. Marriage equality became law but was initiated under her predecessor. Controls on cannabis were retightened after public backlash over decriminalization, but the move and its enforcement were called rushed and confusing.
Her critics also cited unsatisfactory outcomes in other Pheu Thai party policies, like unequal minimum wage increases, constant changes in a cash handout program and the stalled and controversial legalization of casinos. They also noted the lack of progress in tariffs talks with the United States.
The outrage has centered on Paetongtarn’s comments about an outspoken Thai army commander and the perception that she was trying to appease Hun Sen.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra raises her hands in a traditional Thai greeting gesture as she apologizes to the Thai people for the leaked private conversation with Cambodian leader Hun Sen regarding negotiations to resolve cross-border checkpoint operations between the two countries, at Government House on June 19, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Pattarayoot Phukpol)
Paetongtarn apologized but also denied that she had damaged the country. She ignored calls for her to resign or dissolve Parliament to take responsibility, which critics saw as an attempt by the Pheu Thai party to cling to power.
Napon Jatusripitak, a political science researcher at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said her response seemed “totally disconnected from political reality” and that the scandal has exposed “her leadership failures and fuels accusations that she prioritizes family interests over national welfare.”
Adoration for the Shinawatra cools
Her father, Thaksin, is believed to be the key decision maker behind Pheu Thai, now led by Paetongtarn. Time and again, Thaksin-backed parties have prevailed in national elections but could not stay in office after legal rulings and destabilizing street protests engineered by Thaksin’s die-hard foes.
But in 2023, Thaksin alienated many of his old supporters with what looked like a self-serving deal with his former conservative opponents. It allowed his return from exile and his party to form the new government, while sidelining the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished first in a national election but was seen by the conservative establishment as a greater threat.
Now with the current crisis, things could drastically change for the Shinawatra family.
“In light of the recent controversy, the Shinawatra spell has been broken. The only viable Shinawatra scion is now tainted,” Napon said. “It would be an understatement to say that the Shinawatra name no longer guarantees electoral success.”
And not everything has been squared away with her family’s enemies. Yingluck remains in exile, and legal problems — arguably politically inspired — could send her to prison if she returns to Thailand. Thaksin also still faces some legal challenges.
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and his daughter and newly elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrive before the royal endorsement ceremony appointing Paetongtarn as Thailand’s new prime minister at Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit).
Thailand’s royalist establishment has long been disturbed that Thaksin’s populist policies appeared to threaten their status and that of the monarchy at the heart of Thai identity.
Paetongtarn now also faces protests by familiar faces from the same conservative, pro-royalist group that opposed her father.
“History seems to be repeating itself in a way. Thailand seems trapped in a depressingly familiar cycle where Shinawatra-led governments come to power, only to face mounting pressure from traditional power centers, street protests, and extraparliamentary interventions that ultimately force them from office,” Napon said.
Court to investigate leaked phone call
The judges voted unanimously Tuesday to take the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics, and voted 7-2 to suspend her from duty as a prime minister. The court gave Paetongtarn 15 days to give evidence to support her case.
Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the latest border dispute with Cambodia, involving an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. The leaked phone call while she engaged in diplomacy with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen set off a string of complaints and public protests.
Paetongtarn said after the court order that she would accept the process and would do her best to defend herself, as she had no other intentions but to protect the country and preserve peace.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, speaks to media at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
“I only thought about what to do to avoid troubles, what to do to avoid armed confrontation, for the soldiers not to suffer any loss. I wouldn’t be able to accept it if I said something with the other leader that could lead to negative consequences,” she said.
She also thanked her supporters and apologized to people upset over the leaked call. She left the Government House shortly after.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit is expected to become the acting prime minister, although there’s been no official confirmation.
Earlier Tuesday, before the court suspended Paetongtarn, King Maha Vajiralongkorn had endorsed a Cabinet reshuffle after a major party left the government coalition over the leaked phone call. The reshuffle had replaced Anutin Charvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, as deputy prime minister.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, speaks to media at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Paetongtarn took the position of culture minister in addition to prime minister in the new Cabinet, though it’s still unclear if she can take the oath to remain in that role.
Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn’s comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Hun Sen to ease border tensions.
Thousands of conservative, nationalist-leaning protesters rallied in central Bangkok on Saturday to demand Paetongtarn’s resignation.
Paetongtarn also faces investigations over an alleged breach of ethics by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whose decision could also lead to her removal.
Senators behind moves against Paetongtarn and her ministers
The Constitutional Court last year removed her predecessor over a breach of ethics. Thailand’s courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are viewed as a bulwark of the royalist establishment, which has used them and nominally independent agencies such as the Election Commission to cripple or sink political opponents.
The complaint against Paetongtarn was filed by a group of senators elected last year to replace the 250 military-appointed members who had served in the upper chamber since 2019. Many of those senators face allegations of rigging the election that saw a majority of seats claimed by figures who are reportedly close to the Bhumjaithai Party.
Some senators also filed complaints against two ministers in Paetongtarn’s administration: Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and Phumtham Wechayachai, a former defense minister who is set to become the new interior minister.
The court accepted a petition on May 14 accusing the two men of abuse of power related to the investigation into the alleged Senate vote rigging. On the same day, the court partially suspended Tawee from overseeing the Department of Special Investigation, which is in charge of the case.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, arrives at Government House for a cabinet meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
The prime minister is a scion of a powerful family
Paetongtarn, 38, is the youngest daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but divisive former prime minister. Her suspension raised the possibility she could suffer a similar downfall to her predecessors in the political dynasty founded by her father.
Paetongtarn is the third Shinawatra to hold the job after her billionaire father and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Both were removed from office and driven into exile following coups in 2006 and 2014.
Thaksin has faced several legal challenges since returning to Thailand in 2023. On Tuesday, he attended a court hearing in a case alleging he defamed the monarchy in 2015 in remarks to journalists in Seoul, South Korea.
He also is under investigation over his hospital detention after his return to face an eight-year prison term on charges related to corruption and abuse of power.
He was transferred almost immediately to a hospital and later was granted clemency because of his age and health without spending a single night in jail. The complaints argue he avoided properly serving his sentence and raise the possibilty Thaksin could be forced to serve prison time.
Monday, June 30, 2025, Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd., continues its strong commitment to enhancing the quality of Thai labor by officially holds “The Professional Driver Development Project for the 3rd Year” at the Hino Heavy Truck Driving Training Center in Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province. The project is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Land Transport under the Ministry of Transport, aiming to develop the professional skills of truck drivers to meet the rapidly growing demand in the transport and logistics industry.
The opening ceremony was honored by distinguished executives from both the public and private sectors, led by Ms. Yumiko Kawamura, President of Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd., Mr. Cheep Nomsian, Deputy Director-General for Technical Affairs of the Department of Land Transport, Thongyu Kongkhun , Ph.D., Chairman of The Land Transport Federation of Thailand, along with president of transport associations from all over the country, all of whom gathered to show their strong support for raising the standards of the Thai transport profession.
Building on the experience and success of “The Professional Truck Driver Development Project” over the past 2 years, which received positive feedback from both trainees and transport operators nationwide, Hino is taking the initiative to a new level this year by introducing a new training course on “Tow trucks and semi-trailers.” This new program responds to the growing and diverse needs of the industry and supports the increasing demand for skilled labor in the logistics sector.
This training course is designed for individuals seeking a Class 3 driver’s license and will run from June 30 to July 4, 2025, for a total of 5 days. Offered free of charge, the program aims to empower individuals aspiring to become professional truck drivers. It provides intensive theoretical and practical training with a clear goal, “To enable participants to enter the profession immediately upon completion.” Hino is the first truck manufacturer to support this kind of initiative, demonstrating its confidence in sustainable development.
In addition, Hino continues to emphasize its vision of “Overall Quality” a commitment to enhancing quality in every dimension, encompassing both its products and ongoing customer support, under the new slogan, “Hino, Always Your Professionals.”
The concept of Overall Quality is achieved through commitment to excellence in two key areas., Product Quality: Focused on developing high-quality vehicles such as the Hino 500 Victor EURO 5, which is environmentally friendly and meets advanced safety standards., Total Support Quality: Delivering comprehensive after-sales services, including: The HINO-CONNECT system for efficient vehicle management, Hino Smart Driver training programs to enhance driver skills, and The TSM (Total Support Management) initiative, which promotes road safety and offers continuous training and professional development activities throughout the year.
Hino remains committed to strengthening the capabilities of the Thai workforce to meet the growth of the transportation industry, firmly believing that “quality” is the heart of sustainable development. The company reaffirms its role as a trusted partner in the logistics sector – standing by its customers at every stage of their operations and jointly driving the growth of Thailand’s transport industry with confidence and stability.
We sincerely thanks all stakeholders for their continued support, which has helped the “Professional Truck Driver Development Project” reach its third successful year under the slogan, “Hino, Always Your Professionals” we are ready to continuously deliver good things to our customers and Thai society.
For more information about Hino’s projects and activities, please visit: Website: www.hinothailand.com Facebook: Hino Thailand Fan Club LINE: @hinoth YouTube: Hino Thailand Official TikTok: @hinoth
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) continues to gain regional and national recognition for its commitment to sustainable business practices, innovation, and stakeholder engagement. The company’s focus on “Sustainovation”—the integration of sustainability and innovation—has driven strong business performance while promoting global food security and long-term value creation.
Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CP Foods, was honored with two prestigious leadership awards: Asia’s Best CEO from Corporate Governance Asia at the 15th Asian Excellence Awards 2025 in Hong Kong, and Thailand Top CEO of the Year 2025 in the Agriculture and Agribusiness category from Business+ magazine in collaboration with the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University.
“These awards reflect the collective efforts of our teams across the organization,” said Prasit. “As a leading global food company, CP Foods has a responsibility to continually innovate and deliver the best for our customers. The innovation comes from teamwork—by working together, we can create better products and solutions for a sustainable future.”
In addition, CP Foods received multiple honors at the Asian Excellence Awards 2025, including:
Best Investor Relations Company in Asia, recognizing CP Foods’ transparency and fairness in information disclosure.
Sustainable Asia Award 2025, acknowledging the company’s efforts in community development, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Asia’s Best CFO awarded to Paisan Chirakitcharern, Chief Financial Officer, for his achievements in financial strategy and business planning.
Best Investor Relations Professional in Asia awarded to Kobboon Srichai, Head of Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations, for excellence in transparent communication and corporate governance.
These recognitions underscore CP Foods’ leadership in sustainable agribusiness and its continued role in strengthening Thailand’s economy while fulfilling its vision to be the Kitchen of the World.
Thai customs officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport arrest a Canadian passenger attempting to smuggle 3,235 grams of heroin on June 30, 2025.
SUVARNABHUMI — Thai customs officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested a Canadian man attempting to smuggle 3,235 grams of heroin worth over 1 million baht ($30,770) to Taiwan. The drugs were cleverly concealed inside women’s handbags in his luggage.
Customs officers became suspicious of the passenger’s luggage on the morning of June 30 due to its excessive weight and unusual thickness. X-ray screening revealed suspicious items with characteristics of narcotics, prompting officials to invite the Canadian passenger for further inspection.
During the baggage search, officers discovered brown and black women’s handbags among clothing and shoes. Inside the rolling suitcase walls, they found gray cloth packages wrapped with black tape. When opened, these contained carbon paper and clear plastic bags filled with white powder that tested positive for heroin.
Customs officers discover carbon paper and clear plastic bags filled with white powder that tested positive for heroin during the Canadian passenger’s baggage search, on June 30, 2025.The Canadian man’s luggage and two women’s handbags containing a total of 3.2 kilograms of heroin.
The investigation revealed additional concealment methods in two women’s handbags, which showed fresh stitching on both sides of the walls and appeared abnormally thick. After cutting open the bag walls, officers found more gray packages hidden inside, also containing heroin. The total weight of seized heroin was 3,235 grams, valued at over 1 million baht.
The Canadian passenger was preparing to fly with China Airlines from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. He faces charges of attempting to smuggle Category 1 narcotics (heroin) out of Thailand and illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics without authorization. The case has been transferred to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau for prosecution and investigation into the drug network.
A Customs Department spokesperson reported that for fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 – June 30, 2025), the department has seized heroin in 28 cases with a total weight of approximately 97.87 kilograms.
Multi-agency officials visit the home of an 8-year-old boy who was abandoned to live with dogs and never attended school in Lap Lae District, Uttaradit Province, on June 30ม 2025.
UTTARADIT — A heartbreaking case has emerged highlighting Thailand’s drug addiction crisis after an 8-year-old boy was found living with dogs and communicating through barking sounds due to his mother’s drug addiction and neglect.
The Foundation for Children and Women, led by Paveena Hongsakul, coordinated with authorities to rescue the child after a school principal in Lap Lae District, Uttaradit Province reported the disturbing situation.
Years of Educational Neglect
The boy, identified as “A” (pseudonym), never attended kindergarten but once visited the school with his mother when he reached Grade 1 age. His mother collected approximately 400 baht in government education support funds but never enrolled him in classes.
Investigations revealed the child lived in his maternal relative’s house in a drug-infested “red zone” area with three people: his 46-year-old mother, 23-year-old brother, and six dogs. School Director Sopon Siha-ampai recently visited the home and learned from neighbors that the mother regularly begged for money and food from the temple when rejected by residents.
Thai authorities talk to the mother of an 8-year-old boy who was abandoned to live with dogs and never attended school in Lap Lae District, Uttaradit Province, on June 30, 2025.
Neighbors grew tired of the mother’s behavior and prevented their children from interacting with the family. With no human playmates, the boy bonded with the dogs and began mimicking their behavior, including barking sounds for communication.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
After learning of the situation, Paveena coordinated with multiple agencies including Police Lieutenant Colonel Charoen Daengruang from Lap Lae Police Station, Education Ministry officials, and Social Development and Human Security Ministry personnel. The joint team visited the home on the morning of June 30 to provide immediate assistance.
A deteriorating single-story wooden house on stilts serves as home for the 8-year-old boy in Lap Lae District, Uttaradit Province, where he lives with his drug-addicted mother and brother, spending most of his time with dogs.
Lap Lae police conducted urine tests on both the mother and older brother, confirming drug use in both individuals. They were charged with drug consumption, while social workers placed the 8-year-old boy under protective care at Uttaradit Children’s Home.
Paveena has coordinated with Dr. Thir Phawangkhanant, Deputy Secretary-General of the Basic Education Commission, and Dr. Trin Kandokmai, Director of the Happiness and Safety Management Center, to ensure the boy receives continuous education. The Paveena Foundation will monitor his progress alongside the Social Development and Education ministries.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Acting Interior Minister Thirarat Samrejwanit (right) witness the presentation of national ID cards to 21 newly approved Thai citizens at Mae Chan Wittayakom School auditorium, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province, on June 28, 2025.
BANGKOK — Thailand has officially launched new regulations to expedite citizenship procedures for children born to foreign parents in the country, marking the first comprehensive effort to tackle statelessness issues.
The directive, which came into force on June 30, was signed by Deputy Interior Minister Thirarat Samrejwanit, who is currently serving as Acting Minister following the Bhumjaithai Party’s withdrawal from government.
The policy was originally developed under former Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul but is now being implemented by the Pheu Thai Party-led administration.
Under the new regulations, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior oversees the directive with authority to interpret rules and remove procedural obstacles. For Bangkok residents, the Director of the Registration Administration Office handles applications, while district chiefs process applications for those living outside the capital.
A lot of people submit citizenship applications on the first day of the announced criteria to expedite nationality issue resolution at the meeting hall of Mae Hong Son District Office on June 30, 2025.
The streamlined process includes coordination between provincial administrations and local police departments, with superintendent-level officers assigned to investigate applicants’ backgrounds in their respective areas. Judicial officials are also required to provide supporting documentation.
However, the Director General retains authority to revoke citizenship if applicants engage in behavior inconsistent with criteria or pose national security risks.
Target Groups Eligible
The initiative specifically targets approximately 140,000 people from long-established ethnic minorities who are officially registered in the national civil database with biometric data. This includes:
Persons born in Thailand to ethnic minority parents who were interviewed and registered before 1999, holding 13-digit national ID numbers beginning with “6” where the sixth and seventh digits are between 50 and 72
Children whose parents have residence permits with ID numbers beginning with “5” or “8”
Persons born to parents registered as stateless under the January 18, 2005 Cabinet Decision, including Morgan Sea Nomads, who have ID numbers beginning with “0” with sixth and seventh digits labeled “89”
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Acting Interior Minister Thirarat Samrejwanit (third from right) witness the presentation of national ID cards to 21 newly approved Thai citizens at Mae Chan Wittayakom School auditorium, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province, on June 28, 2025.
The framework stems from a Cabinet decision approved on October 29, 2024, during Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration. Current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government has instructed the Interior Ministry to strictly follow legal provisions.
Permanent Secretary Unsit Sampuntharat emphasized this represents the first time Thailand has addressed citizenship issues in such a concrete and accelerated manner, earning praise from international organizations.
Exclusions Apply
The new process does not cover migrant workers, refugees in shelters, or foreigners with valid passports, who must pursue citizenship through existing channels.
Chaiwat Chuntirapong, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, has signed official procedures outlining application processes and post-grant verification requirements in accordance with the Interior Ministry’s directive.
