Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday officially opened the new road linking Thailand's Sadao Customs House with Malaysia's Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, marking a major step in strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity.

The inauguration took place at the new Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province. During the ceremony, the two leaders walked from their respective border gates and met for a symbolic handshake at the midpoint of the crossing before Anwar welcomed Anutin to the Malaysian side.

The new road will open to the public and freight transport from July 11 after years of joint development by the two countries to connect their border checkpoints.

Speaking at the ceremony, Anutin described the new Sadao checkpoint as "an economic gateway" that would bring the people, trade and investment of Thailand and Malaysia closer together. He said the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam crossing is the two countries' most important land trade gateway and one of the region's key transport corridors. The new connection is expected to ease congestion, shorten border crossing times, lower logistics costs and improve the movement of goods, tourists and travelers.

Anutin said he and Anwar had agreed during their official talks on Thursday to accelerate border connectivity projects linking Songkhla-Kedah, Satun-Perlis and Narathiwat-Kelantan, while also promoting border economic zones and streamlining customs and immigration procedures.

He said the infrastructure investment would help attract new investment, create jobs and boost local businesses, while improving the quality of life in border communities.

Thailand and Malaysia have set a bilateral trade target of $30 billion. More than 80% of the two countries' border trade currently passes through the Sadao crossing, underscoring its importance as the main trade and logistics gateway between the neighbors.

The director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Pin Sak Surasawadee, discussed the Songkhla Lake bridge project and the Ko Lanta connector bridge linking Krabi's Krasaem Sindhu district to Trang's Khao Chai Son district. The cabinet approved this project on February 18, 2025, with a conservation plan budgeted at 402.818 million baht over five years.

Since the bridge falls within an area requiring special environmental protection, a parallel Irrawaddy dolphin conservation program is essential. Only five countries worldwide still have this dolphin species, with Thailand having merely 14 individuals left. They are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, with their small population in crisis. As the last dolphin group in Songkhla Lake, they require protection and habitat restoration alongside efforts to reduce all threats.

From 2006 to 2025, 69 dolphins died, primarily from fishing gear, especially nets. Since implementing a ghost net retrieval program and working with stakeholders to eliminate harmful fishing equipment, mortality rates have declined significantly. No dolphin deaths have been reported this year, though vigilance remains necessary. Calf mortality is concerning, with a mortality rate exceeding 40 percent, indicating low population growth potential due to small population size, reduced genetic diversity, natural behavior, and environmental factors in Songkhla Lake.

Pin Sak emphasized that the project must balance infrastructure development with natural resource conservation. The government mandates that conservation planning accompany project development to prevent, mitigate, and monitor impacts on dolphins and the lake ecosystem. The conservation plan will address habitat restoration, ecosystem recovery, food sources, community participation, and knowledge development to ensure sustainable results.

Thailand's Joint Information Center (JIC) rejected Cambodian accusations that Thai military operations damaged ancient monuments, reaffirming Thailand's commitment to international law and criticizing one-sided evidence presented by Cambodia. On July 10, 2025, JIC Director General Praphas Sonsangchai stated that Cambodia's allegations relied solely on one-sided information and that any assessment should be based on complete facts, not selective data.

Sonsangchai noted that evidence shows Cambodia has used areas near archaeological sites as military bases and operational centers, launching attacks on Thai forces from these locations. He emphasized that discussing monument damage without acknowledging the full military context cannot constitute fair and complete fact-presentation.

Thailand affirmed its right and duty to protect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens' lives from military threats. Thai operations target military objectives under principles of military necessity, distinction, proportionality, and precaution to minimize civilian and cultural property damage.

JIC called on Cambodia to cease presenting one-sided accusations and transparently clarify its military deployment and use of areas adjacent to archaeological sites. "Ancient monuments and cultural heritage should not be weaponized for military advantage or manipulated as political and propaganda tools to accuse other nations," Sonsangchai stated.

During a special parliamentary committee meeting on July 10, 2025, examining the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, Surachest Praweenwongwit, a Pheu Thai list MP, expressed concern over the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry's budget being cut by 7.5% compared to last year, dropping from 161.927 billion baht to 149.826 billion baht.

Surachest criticized the ministry's Deputy Secretary General for frequently traveling first class to sign ineffective memoranda of understanding that yield no real results, calling them mere "meet and greet" exercises that need improvement.

He emphasized the country's economic challenges and the need to better allocate limited resources. Surachest highlighted the importance of research and development funding, noting that while the country invests 144 billion baht in road construction, the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (TSRIF) receives only 13.44 billion baht—equivalent to nationwide school and hospital budgets combined.

The ministry's budget faced a severe 32% cut, Surachest said, making it difficult to envision Thailand's future direction when resources flow primarily toward road construction that requires constant repairs.

He cited an example from the previous parliament where the transportation committee proposed research into traffic and transportation innovations, such as traffic light algorithms, which could generate real development and income. However, the ministry showed little initiative. Though the current minister agreed in principle, no concrete action has followed.

Surachest criticized the ministry for frequently promoting Traffee Fondue, a software complaint system, as a success story. While he acknowledged its merits, he called it a small-scale project and expressed frustration with "using trendy words to advertise exaggerated achievements," urging the ministry to deliver tangible, large-scale results that truly benefit the nation.

THE TOM Thailand 2026 officially launched its first workshop day with founder Leuk Bunnadha and director Knot Kritin closely supervising the lively activities. The atmosphere brimmed with smiles, laughter, and positive energy as all contestants wholeheartedly engaged in learning, skill development, and experience sharing.

Expert instructors led specialized classes in singing and stage dancing, extracting each contestant's full potential from day one. Directors Nan Wilailuk and Knot Kritin carefully monitored and oversaw the workshop.

Founder Leuk Bunnadha expressed genuine excitement about the initial success, stating: "The response has been far better than expected. What we want to see isn't just winners, but everyone growing, learning, and returning home with valuable experiences and increased confidence."

Leuk emphasized that THE TOM Thailand is not merely a competition for prizes, but a platform designed to help people discover hidden potential and courageously push beyond their limits toward new life opportunities.

Driven by the warm reception and overwhelming enthusiasm from the start, organizers announced a major surprise: THE TOM Thailand Season 2 is confirmed! Interested participants should prepare and watch for recruitment details.

The first season is just beginning with many challenging tests ahead. Join us in supporting and following the upcoming workshop sessions on Facebook at "Tom Thailand ทอม ไทยแลนด์".

K-Pop Stars IU and Lee Jong-suk End Four-Year Romance, Remain Colleagues. Following their status as one of South Korea's most beloved celebrity couples adored by fans worldwide, IU and Lee Jong-suk have officially ended their relationship after dating for approximately four years. Both agencies confirmed the breakup on July 10. Multiple Korean news outlets reported that EDAM Entertainment (IU's agency) and ACE FACTORY (Lee Jong-suk's agency) confirmed the split while requesting understanding that this is a private matter and cannot disclose additional details. ACE FACTORY stated to Korean media: "Both have ended their relationship and will continue to be good colleagues." EDAM Entertainment similarly confirmed the news, noting that due to the personal nature of the matter, they cannot provide further details. IU and Lee Jong-suk have known each other since 2012 when they worked together as hosts of a music program. Their friendship later developed into a romantic relationship, which they publicly revealed in late 2022 following reports from Korean media, earning worldwide fan support. Throughout their relationship, rumors occasionally surfaced, but the couple maintained a private love life and rarely disclosed personal details to the public. The official confirmation from their agencies marks the formal end of a four-year romance between another beloved couple in South Korean entertainment.