2025-07-16: Thai Officials Deny Rumors of Permanent US Naval Base Amid Ongoing Temporary Access Arrangements

China Faces Historic Summer Heatwave with Widespread Extreme Temperatures and Energy Strain

Jul 15, 2025

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Good Morning,

Below are some of the most important developments in security and geopolitics in Asia today.

▪️ Thailand: Thai Officials Deny Rumors of Permanent US Naval Base Amid Ongoing Temporary Access Arrangements
Rumors have emerged about a potential US naval presence at Tap Lamu in Phang Nga province, prompting Thai authorities to issue denials and clarify existing arrangements.

▪️ Indonesia: Indonesia Showcases Military Strength and Diplomacy at Bastille Day Parade in Paris
President Prabowo Subianto joined France’s Bastille Day military parade in Paris as the first Indonesian head of state invited as an honorary guest.

▪️ Japan: Japan Responds to Intensifying Chinese Military Activity with Enhanced Defense Measures
Tensions between Japan and China are rising across military and strategic domains, prompting Tokyo to reassess its defense posture in response to Beijing’s expanding activities.

▪️ India: Jaishankar’s Beijing Visit Signals Progress in India-China Border Stability and Trade Dialogue
Recent diplomatic engagements between India and China have focused on stabilizing border tensions, expanding trade ties, and enhancing cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

▪️ Vietnam: Widespread African Swine Fever Outbreaks Drive Intensive Control Measures in Vietnam
African swine fever (ASF) continues to threaten Vietnam’s swine industry with recent unauthorized pig transports, widespread outbreaks, and stringent control measures across multiple provinces.

▪️ Taiwan: Taiwan Conducts Largest-Ever Joint Military and Civil Defense Drills to Test Wartime Readiness
Taiwan is conducting a comprehensive series of joint military and civil defense exercises to test wartime procedures, urban evacuation plans, and air defense capabilities.

▪️ China: China Faces Historic Summer Heatwave with Widespread Extreme Temperatures and Energy Strain
China is bracing for a prolonged heatwave that will push temperatures to extreme levels across several regions this summer.

▪️ South Korea: Special Prosecutor Probes Attempted Martial Law and Drone Operation Linked to Ex-President Yoon
A special counsel team is investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol for his December 3, 2024, attempt to declare emergency martial law and the related actions that followed.

▪️ India: Reported Drone and Missile Strikes on ULFA(I) Camps in Myanmar's Sagaing Region
Insurgent camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing region and along the India–Myanmar border have reportedly come under precise drone and missile strikes.

▪️ South Korea: Deepening Russia–North Korea Military and Diplomatic Cooperation
Russia and North Korea have strengthened their strategic partnership through high-level diplomatic engagements and military cooperation.

For more information on these developments, please see the full report below.

Thanks for reading,

Rodney J Johnson

Today's Developments

Widely Reported On Issues of Importance

Thai Officials Deny Rumors of Permanent US Naval Base Amid Ongoing Temporary Access Arrangements

Rumors have emerged about a potential US naval presence at Tap Lamu in Phang Nga province, prompting Thai authorities to issue denials and clarify existing arrangements.

Protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul claimed a secret agreement in US–Thai trade talks would allow the United States Navy to establish a permanent base at Tap Lamu.
Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister and the Royal Thai Navy dismissed these allegations, stating that no approvals exist and no intention remains to host a permanent US military facility on Thai soil.

Under current logistics support agreements, the US Navy and other allied naval forces maintain temporary access to several Thai naval installations—Tap Lamu, Sattahip, Songkhla and U-Tapao—for joint exercises and supply operations.
These arrangements explicitly exclude any form of permanent basing. The Royal Thai Navy added that, although Tap Lamu features in an internal development plan, it lacks the funding for foreign military involvement, and no authorization has been granted.

Since 2006, successive Thai governments have followed a policy of granting only temporary access to allied forces to balance strategic ties with the United States against the importance of maintaining relations with China.
Officials from multiple administrations have reaffirmed their commitment to sovereignty, neutrality and regional stability, and they have consistently rejected proposals that might appear to favor one power bloc over another.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhawat emphasized that trade and tax discussions with the United States have focused strictly on economic issues, with no linkage to military basing.
Deputy Defense Minister General Nattaphon Nakpanit confirmed that the Ministry of Defense had not been approached about any US use of Phang Nga facilities in the context of tax negotiations, and he stressed that any future basing would adhere to established government policy.

Interior Minister Pumtham Watcharachaichan said he has received no briefings on US requests related to the Lamoo Naval Base and urged caution against media speculation.
He noted that while internal strategic planning may consider various scenarios for base development, no official discussions with Washington have taken place and any foreign military engagement would require both budgetary and political approval.

Amid heightened regional tensions and renewed US interest in expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, Thai authorities continue to affirm that their military arrangements remain unchanged.
Any cooperation beyond the scope of existing temporary access pacts would require formal government procedures and legislative clearance, in line with Thailand’s policy against permanent foreign basing.

References for this Development

'บิ๊กเล็ก' ปัดข่าวดีลภาษีทรัมป์แลกฐานทัพเรือพังงา ยันกลาโหมยังไม่ได้รับการติดต่อ

Big Lek denies news of Trump tax deal in exchange for Phang Nga naval base, confirms Ministry of Defense has not been contacted

Thai Post | Local Language | News

พิชัย' ชงชื่อผู้ว่าฯธปท.คนใหม่เข้า ครม.วันนี้ ยัน ไร้ข้อเสนอสหรัฐฯชงตั้งฐานทัพเรือที่พังงา

Pichai Proposes New Governor of the Bank of Thailand to Cabinet Today, Affirms No US Proposal to Establish Naval Base in Phang Nga

Thai Post | Local Language | News

เสียหายมาก! 'สหายอ้วน' ของขึ้น เปล่าพูดข้อเสนอภาษีทรัมป์แลกฐานทัพเรือพังงา

Severe Damage! 'Fat Comrade' Explodes Over Trump's Tax Proposal in Exchange for Phang Nga Naval Base

Thai Post | Local Language | News

Acting PM and Navy deny plans for a US naval base in Phang-nga after claims by protest leader Sondhi

Thai Examiner | English | News

Indonesia Showcases Military Strength and Diplomacy at Bastille Day Parade in Paris

President Prabowo Subianto joined France’s Bastille Day military parade in Paris as the first Indonesian head of state invited as an honorary guest.

President Prabowo arrived on July 13, 2025, after an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron that signaled Indonesia’s elevation to the status of a strategic partner.
French officials, including the Interior Minister and the French Ambassador to Indonesia, greeted him with a military honor guard. The following day on the Champs-Élysées, Prabowo took his seat beside President Macron and stood second in the greeting order after France’s First Lady, a placement that underscored the diplomatic significance of his presence.

The Indonesian Patriot II Task Force led the parade with 451 members drawn from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and cadets of military and police academies.
Clad in camouflage uniforms and black berets, they marched for five minutes to the national song “Maju Tak Gentar,” performed by a drum band and majorettes. Side by side, the Indonesian and French flags fluttered alongside mascots representing each service branch. After intensive training and a dress rehearsal in France, the contingent earned standing ovations and applause from spectators and President Macron alike.

This year’s parade commemorated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and Indonesia and the centenary of the Bastille Day eternal flame.
President Macron praised the Indonesian performance, recalled his May 2025 visit to the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had stressed that the TNI’s participation would bolster defense diplomacy and national reputation, and Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto, along with other senior officials, accompanied President Prabowo to reflect the high-level political and military investment in the event.

By showcasing military discipline, interoperability, and cultural diplomacy through the national anthem and symbols, Indonesia reinforced its bilateral defense cooperation with France.
President Macron described Prabowo as a friend and expressed pride in seeing the Indonesian contingent march alongside French forces. The invitation and honorary status extended to Indonesia follow a tradition of recognizing strategic partners such as Nelson Mandela and Narendra Modi, and they point toward expanded collaboration in defense, investment, and technological exchanges.

References for this Development

Presiden Prabowo Menjadi Tamu Kehormatan di Peringatan Bastille Day Prancis

President Prabowo Becomes Guest of Honor at France's Bastille Day Commemoration

JPNN | Local Language | News

Tampil di Bastille Day, Prabowo Beri Hormat Saat Kontingen Indonesia Melintas

Appearing on Bastille Day, Prabowo Salutes as Indonesian Contingent Passes By

Bali Post | Local Language | News

Seskab: Kehadiran Presiden Prabowo di Bastille Day bersejarah

Seskab: President Prabowo's Presence at Bastille Day is Historic

Antara News | Local Language | News

Macron bangga TNI parade dengan pasukan Prancis, sebut Prabowo sahabat

Macron proud of TNI parade with French troops, calls Prabowo a friend