Thai princess gives special lecture on evolution of Chud Thai in The Hague

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10 April 2026, 18:01

669018671_1385870660251028_5665803377463786299_n — HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya

THE HAGUE — Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya delivered a keynote lecture on Chud Thai at an academic forum held at Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, the Netherlands, on 9 April 2026.

Chud Thai refers to a set of formal national costumes of Thailand, standardised into distinct styles that reflect the country’s cultural heritage, royal traditions and textile craftsmanship.

The event, organised by the Department of Cultural Promotion under the Ministry of Culture, marked the first international roadshow promoting Chud Thai as part of a broader initiative to showcase Thai textiles and craftsmanship on the global stage.

During the session, the princess presented a lecture titled “The evolution of Thai dress and textiles”, alongside a fashion showcase featuring all eight styles of royal Chud Thai and three types of royal shirts for men.

The event also included demonstrations of traditional Thai craftsmanship, such as intricate Yan Lipao weaving and gold and silver embroidery, presented by the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACIT). An exhibition of royal Chud Thai was held in collaboration with the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.

Organisers emphasised that Chud Thai should be viewed not only as historical attire but as a living cultural heritage that continues to evolve through contemporary design while maintaining its artistic structure.

The development of Chud Thai for international recognition is rooted in the royal vision of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who has long championed the preservation and promotion of Thai cultural identity, particularly in traditional dress.

Through extensive research and collaboration with historians and designers, the royal Chud Thai was standardised into eight styles: Ruean Ton, Chitralada, Amarin, Boromphiman, Dusit, Chakri, Siwalai and Chakkraphat. These are complemented by three styles of royal shirts for men, reflecting both cultural significance and evolving Thai identity.

Over the decades, Queen Sirikit has worn Chud Thai on numerous state visits, using attire as a form of cultural diplomacy, notably during official visits to the United States and Europe, including the Netherlands, in 1960.

The elegance of Chud Thai gained international recognition and led to collaborations with French designer Pierre Balmain, who helped introduce Thai silk to haute couture.

In 2024, Thailand’s cabinet approved a proposal to nominate Chud Thai to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The nomination will be considered at the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee, scheduled to take place from 30 November to 5 December 2026 in Xiamen, China.

French drug and money laundering suspect arrested in Phuket hotel

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2026, 16:43

PHUKET — Thai immigration police in Phuket have arrested a French national wanted under multiple international warrants for drug trafficking and money laundering, after tracking him to a luxury beachfront hotel in Kata.

Immigration police Region 6, working with Phuket police and the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division, detained the suspect identified as Mr Ani, 50, on 9 April at a hotel in Karon subdistrict, Phuket.

Authorities said they acted following coordination requests to revoke his permission to stay in Thailand and facilitate deportation, after intelligence suggested he was hiding in the province.

Investigators said Mr Ani was wanted in France in connection with large-scale cocaine trafficking from Dubai to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, allegedly operating as part of an organised criminal network. French authorities also reportedly linked him to more than 30 drug and money laundering cases.

Police said he had entered Thailand on a tourist visa, which had not yet expired at the time. However, immigration authorities later approved revocation of his stay permit after confirming the warrant information.

Officers located him at a hotel in Kata and found him standing at the reception area before identifying themselves and taking him into custody. He was later taken to Phuket Immigration for formal processing and translation before being held for legal proceedings and deportation in line with immigration procedures.

Swedish crime boss arrested in Phuket condo raid

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2026, 16:11

Thai police have arrested a Swedish national accused of being a high-ranking organised crime figure and subject to an international Red Notice, following a raid on a luxury condominium in Phuket.

Immigration police from Region 6, working with Phuket police, detained the suspect identified as Mr Boran at his residence on 9 April at around 12:00. Officers moved in after tracking his whereabouts based on intelligence reports and coordination with international law enforcement agencies.

Authorities said the arrest was made in cooperation with the Nordic Police Liaison Office and the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division, after confirming that Mr Boran was wanted under an Interpol Red Notice issued on 9 March 2026.

He is accused of involvement in serious transnational criminal activity, including weapons offences linked to a murder case in Arsta, Sweden, in 2020. Swedish investigators also allege he played a leadership role in a criminal network involved in drug trafficking and violent crime.

Police said Mr Boran had been living in Thailand on a tourist visa, entering the country on 4 January 2026, via the Khuan Don immigration checkpoint in Satun province. His permitted stay was later extended in Phuket but expired on 3 April, leaving him in the country illegally for six days at the time of his arrest.

Officers said he was found inside a bedroom of the condominium and taken into custody without incident. He was informed of the charges and his legal rights before being handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Authorities added that after the completion of legal processes in Thailand, he is expected to be deported to Sweden in accordance with immigration procedures.

Hat Yai Songkran: 200-litre water tank with ice for 500 baht

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2026, 15:55

Hat Yai has officially kicked off its Songkran celebrations with vendors drawing attention by selling giant 200-litre water tanks for 500 baht, as the city rolls out large-scale preparations for the “Hatyai Midnight Songkran 2026” festival.

From around 17:00 on April 10, stalls began lining Niphat Uthit 3 Road and Thamnunvithi Road in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, as the municipality, together with local agencies, launched the first day of the extended Songkran event in the city centre.

Sellers were seen offering a range of water-fight essentials, including water guns, ice, and large water containers. Some vendors prominently displayed signs advertising 200-litre water tanks with ice included for 500 baht, positioning them as ready-made options for revellers.

At the same time, the Hat Yai Municipality has prepared more than 200 large 200-litre water tanks across the event area, made available for free use by attendees. Officials have also set up a security command centre and tightened safety measures throughout the venue.

Local transport worker Paramet Karavee, 32, said business conditions have started to improve following recent flooding, with more work and income opportunities returning to the area. He noted that while tourist numbers are not yet at peak levels, early arrivals from Malaysia have already been observed entering the city through border checkpoints.

Prices for water and ice in the main festival zones, including Odean Junction, remain relatively stable. A standard set of a 200-litre water tank with a sack of ice is being sold at around 500 baht, a price level commonly maintained by vendors to avoid overcharging visitors during the festival period.

King of Cambodia confirms prostate cancer treatment

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2026, 15:00

Cambodia Independence Day — King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia

King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has announced that he is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer following a detailed medical examination by a team of specialist doctors at a hospital in Beijing, China.

In a royal message to the Cambodian people, the monarch said he will require continuous treatment and will not be able to return to Cambodia at this time. Doctors have recommended that he remain under medical care in Beijing for ongoing treatment and monitoring for approximately one to two months. The King also extended his well-wishes to the Cambodian people ahead of the upcoming Khmer New Year celebrations.

Norodom Sihamoni was born in 1953 and ascended to the throne in 2004 following the abdication of his father, former King Norodom Sihanouk. He is the son of King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Before becoming king, he was known for his work in the arts, particularly as a classical ballet dancer and choreographer, and later served as Cambodia’s ambassador to UNESCO.

WWII Death Railway resurfaces in Thailand after 42 years

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2026, 13:07

KANCHANABURI — Sections of the World War II-era “Death Railway” have re-emerged in Thailand’s Rantee River for the first time in 42 years, after water levels dropped significantly due to dam maintenance, drawing widespread attention online.

The resurfaced structures were discovered near Sangkhlaburi district following the release of water from the Vajiralongkorn Dam, exposing parts of the historic railway route that had long been submerged.

Local resident Kitti, 47, said he and a group of friends had been exploring the area when they found remnants of the railway stretching roughly eight kilometres from Rantee Bridge to a junction in Sangkhlaburi. The remains include a laterite roadbed about four metres wide and a 10-by-10-metre concrete water structure rising from the river, believed to have been used to refill steam locomotives in the past.

The phenomenon marks the first time since 1984, when the dam was completed, that such features have become visible. Authorities say the site may remain accessible only between April and June, depending on water levels.

Kitti encouraged visitors to visit the area during the Songkran holiday to experience the site and learn about its historical significance.

The so-called Death Railway was constructed by Japanese forces during World War II between October 1942 and October 1943 as a strategic supply route linking Thailand and Myanmar. The project relied heavily on forced labour, including Allied prisoners of war and Asian workers, many of whom died due to harsh conditions, disease and malnutrition.

After the war, parts of the railway were dismantled, while others were submerged following the construction of the dam. Today, the route remains a stark memorial to the human cost of the conflict and one of Southeast Asia’s most significant wartime legacies.

Melania Trump delivers statement at the White House denying knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes

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Associated Press

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10 April 2026, 12:28

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump is denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his sex crimes, saying Thursday that the “stories are completely false” and calling accusations that she was somehow involved “smears about me.”

Reading an extraordinary statement at the White House, Melania Trump said she and her attorneys were fighting back against “unfound and baseless lies” in regards to her connections to the late financier, a convicted sex offender who leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

The seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as her husband, President Donald Trump, and his administration had finally seemed to move past more than a year of controversy surrounding Epstein, especially as the Iran war had become all-consuming in Washington.

The first lady’s comments almost assuredly will serve to push the story back into the political spotlight even as the president urged the public and media to move on from the case.

Nick Clemens, a spokesperson for the first lady, said the West Wing was aware beforehand that she was making a statement. But he deferred to the West Wing on whether the content of what Melania Trump planned to say was known. The White House press office did not respond to requests for comment.

Calls for a congressional hearing for Epstein victims

The first lady spoke for about five minutes, reading her statement in the Grand Foyer, then walked away without taking questions. She did not go into detail on the accusations against her, but said they came from “individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name.”

She added that they were financially and politically motivated.

Melania Trump also called on Congress to hold a public hearing centered on survivors of Epstein’s crimes, with a chance to testify before lawmakers and have their stories entered into the congressional record.

“Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes,” she said. “Then, and only then, we will have the truth.”

Two of Epstein’s accusers, Maria and Annie Farmer, said in a subsequent statement: “What we want is accountability, transparency, and justice.”

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and onetime fierce Trump supporter who resigned from Congress after a public falling out with the president, posted on X, “I am grateful to the First Lady for her brave statement today about Epstein and his victims.”

AP26099766339326 — First lady Melania Trump arrives to speak with reporters Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Democrats, meanwhile, jumped on Melania Trump’s comments, saying they agreed with her call for a congressional hearing. In a social media post, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee that is investigating Epstein, called on the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to schedule a public hearing “immediately.”

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who sponsored a bill prompting the release of millions of Epstein documents, turned attention back to the Justice Department, saying it’s the attorney general’s job to bring in survivors for testimony. Massie, who has pressed for more arrests in the Epstein case, ended a social media post with a call to “PROSECUTE!”

Questions about Epstein’s reach have loomed over the administration and divided Republicans, driving a wedge into Trump’s MAGA base as some pressed for the government to release more files and prosecute figures linked to the financier.

The issue has dogged Trump and fractured some of his alliances, including the one with Greene. Trump dismissed the issue as a “Democrat hoax” but later signed a bill to release files from Epstein’s case.

It was not clear what prompted the first lady to revive the issue. She noted that several individuals and organizations have had to apologize for their “lies about me.” Of the examples she cited, the most recent was in October.

In that case, book publisher HarperCollins UK apologized to the first lady and retracted passages from a book suggesting Epstein played a role in introducing her and Donald Trump.

Melania Trump mentioned her husband several times in her comments. She said Epstein did not introduce her to Trump, and that she met her future husband at a New York City party in 1998.

Email to Maxwell was ‘trivial’

The first lady brought Epstein back to the forefront months after federal authorities released millions of pages of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Lawmakers complained when the Justice Department made only a limited release last month, but officials said more time was needed to review additional documents that were discovered and to ensure no sensitive information about victims was released.

Melania Trump said Thursday that she was not friends with Epstein or Maxwell, but was in overlapping social circles in New York and Florida. She described an email reply she sent to Maxwell as “casual correspondence” without elaborating.

“My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note,” she said.

Among the documents released by the Justice Department was a brief email from 2002 with the sender and recipient blacked out. It begins, “Dear G!” and ends “Love, Melania,” and compliments the recipient on a magazine article about “JE.”

“I know you are very busy flying all over the world,” it says. “How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY.”

That email was sent the same month that a New York Magazine article was published about Epstein in which Trump called him a “terrific guy.”

Among other documents released was an image from Epstein’s home showing a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers. In that image, inside a drawer among other photos, was a photograph of Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Maxwell.

Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in New York. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The War in Iran is Messy, Cruel, and Tragic

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Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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9 April 2026, 19:18

A week ago, when I was at a major shopping mall in Bangkok, far away from the war and destruction in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and nearby Gulf states, I chanced upon a vintage-inspired ‘souvenir jacket’ the sort of embroidered jackets American war veterans would have once made, say, after surviving the Vietnam War.

“War Is Hell” was embroidered on the right front chest of the black jacket made using an old sewing machine. The newly made souvenir jackets suit aficionados of US military-inspired fashion. At the back, instead of a map of Vietnam, it was Thailand’s U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield.

U-Tapao was extensively used by American forces during the Vietnam War, serving as a primary base for the US Air Force B-52 bombers starting in 1966.

The airfield was actually built by the Americans and played a key role in bombing missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. I don’t think this is a proud history for Thais.

Now, while I agree that war is hell, for affected civilians, it’s also messy, cruel and tragic. A week later, I sat next to a very well educated young Vietnamese lady at a gala dinner I attended for work and I told her I had something to say to her as a Thai.

It roughly went like this: “As a Thai, I am sorry that we allowed the Americans to fly bombers from our airfields in Thailand, where at the height of the Vietnam War an American military plane took off every five to six minutes to literally bomb the hell out of your people,” I told the SOAS-educated British Chevening scholar and added. “I was way too young to do anything, but I am still sorry, reflecting on the past.”

The feeling that Thailand allowed the US to use the kingdom to bomb the hell out of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the last being the most bombed nation per capita on earth, still haunts me with guilt, regret and shame about my country’s past conduct.

Most Thais are not aware that between 1964 and 1973, the US dropped over two million tonnes of ordnance, equal to a planeload of bombs every eight minutes for nine years during the Vietnam War. What’s more, millions of cluster bomblets reportedly failed to detonate in Laos alone, leaving a deadly legacy not only in Laos but also in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Yes, nationalist Thais would say, “We had no choice then. It was either us or them turning into a communist state with no monarchy.”

It might be asked, however, if it was overkill or disproportionate.

Back in present-day Thailand and the Middle East war, another Thai airport on Tuesday was subject to question whether it was used to support America yet again, this time to bomb Iran back to the “Stone Age” as US President Donald Trump threatened earlier this week.

According to our Khaosod English report on Tuesday afternoon, 7 April 2026, residents in Krabi province have raised concerns after spotting multiple US military aircraft taking off and landing at Krabi International Airport, reportedly dozens of flights per day.

“Videos circulating on social media show aircraft including C-130 transport planes, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors, and H-60 Seahawk helicopters, operating both day and night, often flying at low altitude and generating loud noise.

“Many passengers seen disembarking were dressed similarly to military personnel and used a separate terminal from regular passengers, further fuelling public curiosity and concern.

“The unusual activity has sparked widespread speculation among locals, with some questioning whether it could be linked to a potential US military base in the Andaman region, while others suggested it may involve troop movements related to tensions in the Middle East. The presence of large military aircraft at a civilian airport has also raised questions about who authorised the operations and why Krabi International Airport was chosen instead of a military base, particularly as Thailand maintains a neutral stance on ongoing international conflicts.

“Officials at the airport declined to provide details, citing concerns about causing public alarm. A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force also said they were not yet aware of the situation and could not provide further information.”

There was no clarification for many many hours until late morning of the next day when the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) clarified that the landing of US military aircraft at Krabi International Airport carried no military significance and is unrelated to regional tensions or any involvement in conflict.

“Air Vice Marshal Jakkrit Thammavichai, spokesperson for the RTAF, said on Tuesday that the aircraft were operating routine missions involving personnel rotation and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), which are standard activities of the US military and part of long-standing security cooperation between Thailand and the United States…

“The RTAF stressed that the aircraft landings were routine under existing cooperation frameworks and did not carry any special military or strategic significance. It added that permission for such landings follows standard criteria applied equally to all countries and is not linked to any regional conflict or escalation. The Air Force reassured the public that all actions are closely supervised by Thai authorities, with full consideration given to national sovereignty, security, and public interest.”

I will take that with a big grain of salt. Fortunately, a temporary ceasefire was agreed between the US and Iran hours before Trump’s deadline of existential attacks on Iran and a day after many Thais raised the alarm whether the country’s supposed neutral stance was simply Siamese diplomacy.

The Thai government should not fail the public by taking sides and dragging the war home. The economic impact on Thailand and the world is messy enough. Thailand should be a force for peace.

Four Thai civilians have already fallen victim to the war, one of whom was a worker in Israel killed during Iran’s attacks.

As for Israel, killing other countries’ civilians is not helping its reputation, including here in Thailand. If any Israeli citizens complain about Israel being ‘character assassinated’, they should look hard at themselves in the mirror. Just hours after the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran came into effect, Israel launched unprecedented attacks on 100 sites in 10 minutes, killing hundreds, according to Amnesty International.

Meanwhile, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) told Al Jazeera on Thursday that three journalists, including one from Al Jazeera, were “targeted” and killed by the Israel Defense Forces. According to a CPJ report published on 25 February this year, Israel is now the world’s biggest killer of journalists, with 86 killed in 2025.

CPJ’s Jodie Ginsberg also told Al Jazeera that Israel has become the leading killer of journalists globally since the organisation began documenting such attacks in 1992.

If any Israeli complains about character assassination, they have only themselves to blame, as Israel’s military actions are damaging the nation’s character in the eyes of the world.

Following Israel’s latest wave of attacks on Lebanon, which reportedly killed around 250 people in one of the deadliest days of the conflict, Iran moved once again to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the strikes as a breach of the already fragile ceasefire.

As for the US, Trump’s threat to bomb Iran back to the “Stone Age” was a clear example of his stone-age mentality where might makes right. Americans who see spade for spade will have to do more to stop the madness of their president.

As for Iran, while I sympathise with all the civilians killed, whether in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel over the past few years of this protracted conflict, Thailand was also caught in this messy war when Hamas, which Iran supported, killed dozens of Thai workers back in October 2023 when they raped and killed more Israeli citizens during their surprise attacks.

Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed that the three missing Thai crew of civilian cargo ship Mayuree Naree which was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz weeks ago in the early days of the war, are dead.

Twenty hours later, there has been no word on the otherwise very active Facebook page of the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok. No apologies, no condolences, not even an expression of contrition from the Iranian Embassy, in which the Iranian Ambassador to Thailand Nassereddin Heidari stressed in the immediate aftermath of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran a month ago at a major press conference at his embassy that Thailand is a longstanding friend of Iran, dating back four centuries when Iran was known as Persia. It is as if the deaths of the three Thai crewmates had never occurred.

As for Thais rooting for Iran, some have played down the tragic deaths of the Thai crew or ignored them altogether, as seen on social media. The same applies to those who support the US or Israel, or both: they, too, close one eye, choosing to see only the positive side of these countries while ignoring the messy, cruel, and tragic nature of war.

Japan university offers meditation course with Thai monks

By

Khaosod English

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9 April 2026, 18:22

KYOTO, JAPAN — Ryukoku University in Japan has introduced a new meditation course as part of its modern Buddhist studies programme, inviting Thai monks to teach students in a cross-cultural academic collaboration.

The course, titled Samatha-Vipassana in Buddhism and Modern Mindfulness, is being offered in the first semester, with more than 70 students enrolled.

According to Phra Khru Samut Sanitwong Wutthiwongso, communications director at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, two Thai missionary monks have been appointed as lecturers for the programme.

They are Phra Khru Palad Sunet Chalabhinyo, abbot of Wat Pa Dhammakaya International Tochigi, and Phra Maha Phongsak Thanio, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Tochigi. The pair will jointly conduct 15 sessions throughout the semester.

The curriculum combines theoretical instruction on Buddhist meditation principles with practical training, allowing students to practise meditation in class. Participants are also required to continue practising independently and document their progress in a meditation diary to assess changes in their mental well-being.

Founded in 1639 and based in Kyoto, Ryukoku University is one of Japan’s oldest higher education institutions, offering programmes across 10 faculties and serving more than 20,000 students.

Thailand accelerates AI-driven photonics push with strong policy backing in Lumentum partnership

By

MC Marketing

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9 April 2026, 17:44

Thailand is advancing its ambition to become a regional hub for advanced electronics and AI-driven industries, as a new collaboration between Lumentum, national research institutions, and academia gains strong policy endorsement from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with Lumentum, Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT) and the Thai Microelectronics Center (TMEC), reflects a coordinated national push to align industrial investment with education reform and workforce development. The initiative has received strong backing from Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, underscoring the government’s commitment to positioning Thailand at the forefront of emerging technology sectors.

Framed within Thailand’s broader economic transition, the collaboration places particular emphasis on photonics, a critical technology underpinning AI systems and hyperscale data centers. As global demand for high-speed, energy-efficient data transmission accelerates, photonics is increasingly seen as a foundational layer of the digital economy.

Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, said the partnership reflects a strategic alignment between global industry leaders and Thailand’s long-term development goals. “This collaboration highlights Thailand’s readiness to strengthen its competitiveness by building a robust ecosystem that integrates education, research, and industry,” he said, pointing to semiconductors and photonics as key drivers of future economic growth.

Beyond signaling investor confidence, the initiative addresses a structural challenge in Thailand’s high-tech ambitions: the shortage of specialized research and development talent. While the country has a strong base in manufacturing, the transition toward advanced technology sectors requires a significant expansion of skilled human capital. Industry estimates suggest demand could reach approximately 12,000 professionals annually.

Mr. Michael Hurlston, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lumentum, described Thailand as an increasingly central node in the company’s global strategy. “Thailand has become a center of gravity for our operations. Our commitment goes beyond manufacturing, we are investing in R&D, talent development, and long-term collaboration with both academia and policymakers,” he said.

Mr. Kok Wai Hoo Senior Vice President Operation of Lumentum, added that the company is prepared to engage at a systemic level, including contributing to policy direction and academic programs. “We aim to help shape both the workforce and the policy landscape, supporting Thailand’s goal of becoming a leading AI player in Southeast Asia,” he noted.

A defining feature of the initiative is its integrated approach to education and industry. Lumentum will support curriculum co-development, provide advanced laboratory equipment, and enable hands-on training through dedicated photonics labs. This model is designed to ensure that graduates are equipped with industry-relevant skills and can contribute immediately to high-tech sectors.

Dr. Adisorn Tuantranont, Director of the Thai Microelectronics Center, emphasized the strategic importance of building domestic expertise in emerging technologies. “Developing photonics capabilities requires not only infrastructure but also a continuous pipeline of skilled personnel. This collaboration creates a national platform for advancing both,” he said.

From the academic side, the partnership marks a shift toward application-oriented research and innovation. Prof. Dr. Panavy Pookaiyaudom, President of Mahanakorn University of Technology, said the university is repositioning itself to bridge the gap between research and industrial deployment. “Our goal is to transform research into real-world applications, enabling innovation to move from the laboratory to commercial production,” she said.

Structured as a five-year framework, the agreement outlines long-term collaboration in talent development, infrastructure investment, and research commercialization. It also reflects a broader policy direction to foster deeper integration between public institutions and private sector leaders.

From a public policy perspective, the strong involvement of MHESI signals a shift toward more proactive state facilitation in high-tech industry development. By aligning educational reform with industrial demand and global technology trends, Thailand is seeking to strengthen its position within the global electronics and semiconductor value chain.

As competition intensifies across the region, the success of this initiative will depend on Thailand’s ability to translate policy support and industry collaboration into scalable outcomes. If effectively implemented, the partnership could serve as a model for how emerging economies build competitive advantage in next-generation technologies.

Calls for a congressional hearing for Epstein victims

Email to Maxwell was ‘trivial’

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