Luang Por Rung Tissaro, also known as Phra Phairojn Wuttacharya of Wat Takrabbue in Bang Yang District, Krathumbaen, Samut Sakhon Province, was a highly revered Buddhist abbot born on the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, B.E. 2416 in Nong Nok Khai District, Krathumbaen, Samut Sakhon. As a youth, he studied Thai and Khmer languages along with Pali scriptures and monastic disciplines under Phra Upachaya Thap, abbot of Wat Noi Nop Khun in Bangkok.

He was ordained on May 5, B.E. 2437, receiving the monastic name Tissaro. Just two days after his ordination, he moved to Wat Takrabbue, which at that time was functioning as a monastery. He subsequently studied Buddhist teachings under various masters and traveled to northern Thailand, occasionally venturing into Burma. He devoted himself to studying both conventional discipline and meditation practices under renowned teachers such as Phra Ajarn Kaerd of Wat Kamphaeng in Samut Sakhon and Phra Ajarn Lham of Wat Ang Thong in Samut Sakhon. He is said to have been a dharma companion with Luang Por Chey of Wat Tho Khwai in Singburi, exchanging knowledge with him.

When the previous monastery administrator departed, Luang Por Rung assumed the position of monastery leader. Later, when the monastery was elevated to full temple status as Wat Takrabbue, he devoted himself with unwavering commitment to developing it into a major temple in Samut Sakhon Province. Originally established in B.E. 2430 as a simple monastery adjacent to the Tha Chin River, it was initially called Wat Tho Khwai because it served as a landing place where buffalo came to drink water, before being renamed Wat Takrabbue.

Luang Por Rung was consistently devoted to seeking knowledge and practiced intensive meditation at Wat Suntaraprasit, developing profound understanding of meditation practices that granted him considerable spiritual power. He became renowned for creating sacred amulets and talismans.

In his conduct of precepts, he was a monk of strict moral virtue and compassionate nature, practicing modesty and humility, maintaining a one-meal-a-day practice throughout his life. He established educational institutions including a Buddhist studies hall for monks, novices, and local schoolchildren, as well as a community school.

In propagating the dharma, he regularly gave sermons instructing the Buddhist community and sent monks to teach those observing precepts on dharma days. He promoted meditation practice and mindfulness cultivation.

Administrative positions: B.E. 2442 - appointed abbot of Wat Takrabbue; B.E. 2474 - became an ordaining preceptor; B.E. 2482 - granted the ecclesiastical title Phra Kru Chao Phrathuan; B.E. 2483 - appointed district sangha leader for Krathumbaen District.

Ecclesiastical ranks: B.E. 2489 - elevated to Phra Kru Saññabat Chao II with the title Phra Kru Phairojn Mantakhom; B.E. 2494 - elevated to Phra Kru Saññabat Chao I; B.E. 2499 - elevated to Phra Ratchakhana Chao III with the title Phra Phairojn Wuttacharya.

He passed away on Friday, September 27, B.E. 2500 at the age of 85, after 64 years as a monk. His funeral was held on March 30, B.E. 2501.

He created many auspicious objects and relics for various occasions and participated regularly in important Buddhist ceremonies. His most sought-after creations include sacred cords (takrut), tiger amulets (seua yantra), yantra cloth, yantra flags, tiger forehead leather talismans, protection rings, and sacred beads. His amulets became popular among multiple generations, particularly his medals.

Thai actress Nychaa made waves at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival red carpet with a striking appearance in a custom white haute couture gown by Bent Kahina. The minimalist design featured an elegant high slit and strategic cutout detailing at the waist, emphasizing refined lines and contemporary elegance without relying on ornate embellishments. Known as L'Oréal Paris brand ambassador, Nychaa brought a "Sculpted Silent" aesthetic to the event, showcasing understated luxury and the quiet confidence of modern femininity. Photographers and media outlets captured candid images through Getty Images, with fans and international media praising her flawless complexion and impeccable poise. The look sparked online discussions comparing minimalist sophistication with traditional glamorous styles, with fans celebrating her cultural representation on the international stage.

Two episodes have already aired for the sapphic-themed series '4 Elements Baan Watin Wanich' on 7HD, produced by North Star Production. The first installment 'Vivah Pathom' stars Apple Lapisara and Mim Pandittha, followed by 'Ntee Roy Leh' featuring Ingfah Waraha and Charlotte Austin. The latest episode 'Senha Wayao' stars Freen Sarocha and Becky Rebecca, currently airing every Saturday at 8:30 PM on 7HD, with the final installment 'So Rak Akni' starring Namneung Milenya and Ney Kantheera.

Director Fuse Kittisak Chiwasatjassakul, who directed all four episodes, shared behind-the-scenes insights about the series. When asked about the genre, Fuse explained: 'Overall, it's a romantic-driven series about the stories of four women who are sisters with love, relationships, and deep bonds. No matter what problems each faces, they support and care for one another. It emphasizes love as the main theme, with added drama, action, and comedy in each installment.'

The first story, 'Vivah Pathom,' is a romantic drama about the love between Khun Din (Apple Lapisara) and Nong Rose (Mim Pandittha), a couple who harbored secret feelings for each other since childhood.

The second story, 'Ntee Roy Leh,' is romance-driven with action—emotional action rather than physical—interspersed with comedy. It follows the business rivalry between two hotel families: the hotel business of the family of Narm or Apo (Ingfah Waraha) and that of Chollada (Charlotte Austin), who is a young wife seeking her own identity and infiltrating the family to uncover secrets for her brother.

The third story, 'Senha Wayao,' is a romance-driven plot about a foreign princess and a Thai bodyguard who end up together. Princess Katherine, or Princess Blue (Becky Rebecca), comes to Thailand for diplomatic relations and requires a protector—Wayao or Lom (Freen Sarocha), a female police officer. An unexpected incident occurs when the princess is threatened, and criminals plan to harm the real princess and replace her with an impostor.

The final story, 'So Rak Akni,' is romance-driven with comedy as the lead. It's a very ordinary tale set in Southern Thailand featuring the character Fai (Namneung Milenya), a gang leader's child who goes by the name Noi, and Nong Kraprow (Ney Kantheera). These two characters have a shared history from childhood—Kraprow was brought to live in the same house as Fai, causing Fai to feel that Kraprow was stealing their father's love. After they reunite as adults, Fai attempts to improve their relationship, but because Fai views love as meaningless, he doesn't know how to reconcile with Kraprow. The story unfolds to reveal how they navigate this.

When asked about the appeal and challenges of creating this series, Fuse responded: 'I believe no Thai sapphic series has ever brought together eight renowned actors like this before. The challenge is figuring out how to keep audiences entertained and enjoying each individual story—what I call each house: Earth House, Water House, Wind House, and Fire House. The Earth House ('Vivah Pathom') features Apple and Mim as a new pairing. I had to make the first couple the opener, like opening the house. The difficulty with a new couple is they don't have an established fan base. What I achieved was making audiences love the characters and feel that the Earth House is worth watching and enjoyable, so they'd be ready to watch the other houses. I felt that the characters Din and Rose made viewers feel ready to open their hearts and accept them, and in the first story, we succeeded.'

Recently, the Rivers and Rights Foundation and networks of communities in the Yuam, Ing, Moei, and Salween river basins, along with Sob Moei villagers and civil society organizations, jointly organized an 'International Day of Action for Rivers.' Over 200 children, youth, villagers, and Salween River advocates participated in a march to protect the river at Sob Moei village, Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province.

Students carried protest signs with messages including 'No dams for life,' 'Protect the river from toxins,' and 'No mining in the peaceful Salween watershed.' Karen elders performed traditional rituals, lit candles in prayer for river protection, and released bamboo rafts bearing community rights banners.

Youth and community representatives issued a statement on behalf of the next generation, who face impacts from state and corporate development projects including dam construction, mining operations, and large-scale water resource development. They highlighted toxic contamination in rivers like the Salween, where testing has revealed pesticides, cadmium, and heavy metals in water sources. These toxins have visibly damaged ecosystems and community livelihoods—causing fish diseases, affecting fishing practices, and threatening riverside crops—along with health concerns. While relevant agencies conduct monitoring, test results are not clearly communicated back to communities, leaving residents without adequate information for decision-making. The situation also affects local economies, with many communities still lacking access to basic services such as clean drinking water.

On May 20, 2025, Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Chaowarasat, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered Police Colonel Kongkriche Lersithikul, head of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Police Major General Veeraphong Klaaitong, deputy commander of the CIB's Division 4, to join the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in conducting raids on beauty clinics and storage facilities in Bangkok. Authorities seized 35,645 units of illegal cosmetic products, unregistered drugs, and medical devices valued at approximately 22 million baht from three locations: a beauty clinic on Kalpapruek Road in Bang Bon District, a storage facility in Nuaminthra Soi 111 in Bueng Kum District, and a residential import and distribution point in Bang Ramat, Talat Noi District.

The operation stemmed from public complaints and FDA referrals regarding a cosmetic brand being misused by mixing saline solution and injecting it into the body, with sales promoted through social media and beauty clinics. The investigation revealed that the product owner contracted a Thai manufacturer to produce glutathione but falsely registered it as a cosmetic product to avoid stricter drug registration requirements. The products were then sold to beauty clinics with claims they were imported glutathione drugs, when in fact they were being injected into customers' bodies for skin whitening treatments.

Investigators plan to charge the importer under the Cosmetics Act B.E. 2558 for importing cosmetics without Thai labeling, misrepresenting labels, incomplete required information, illegal importation, falsely registered products, and counterfeit cosmetics. The seller of unregistered fillers faces charges under the Medical Device Act B.E. 2551, while the seller of unregistered drugs faces charges under the Pharmaceutical Act B.E. 2510.

Pharmaceutical Secretary Supattra Bunserm stated that the offenders exploited the easier "cosmetic registration" process instead of drug registration, then falsely marketed and sold the products to beauty clinics as imported products or skin vitamins for injection. She warned that such misuse is extremely dangerous as products have not undergone safety assessments for injection and urged business operators to comply with the law. The FDA cautioned beauty clinics and hospitals to carefully verify labeling and usage of injectable products in ampule or vial form.

The horror film 'Phi Khao' represents another highly anticipated project for actress Um Itsaya Horsuwan, who admits it was an extremely challenging role requiring rigorous character development. The production received warm support from co-star Bam Saralee, who brought flowers to the film's premiere on May 19th.

When asked about the film, Um explained: "It's a very difficult story because both the character and the plot make everything challenging. But they still maintain the sincerity of Thai people, which is very endearing."

Regarding how it differs from her previous work, she said: "It's completely different. What's the same is we still have the same Thaibaan team, but with a different director. 'Sapre Ror' was a family film, and this is Thaibaan's first serious horror film, so the mood is completely different, but the atmosphere on set remains the same."

She described the intensive preparation needed: "The character work was heavy because they wanted the family to look like one real family—with the mother, grandmother next door, and siblings. They workshopped intensely so we could genuinely feel like a family. And what we face in the story is unexplainable by science, so I did considerable research on beliefs."

Regarding supernatural occurrences during filming, Um shared: "I'm fortunate because I'm afraid of ghosts, and during shooting there wasn't anything unusual. But there were howling dogs because we filmed many night scenes that stretched until 2 or 3 AM, which is prime howling dog time."

On paranormal incidents on set, she revealed: "Mostly the wardrobe team experienced things. They would encounter occurrences around the filming location and at the crew accommodations. They mainly heard unexplained sounds."

About her personal beliefs in the supernatural, Um admitted: "If I had to put it as a percentage, I'd say I'm more inclined to believe. Perhaps because I grew up around these stories. But I wouldn't dismiss them entirely."

When asked directly if she's afraid of ghosts, she answered: "Yes, I'm very afraid. I've been scared of ghosts since I was a child, and I'm still afraid today."

Describing the filming atmosphere, Um said: "The filming was terrifying. The atmosphere was very scary. We shot at a temple around 2 to 3 AM, which was very dark, and we filmed in other provinces where the lights weren't bright because everyone was asleep. The temple we shot at was quite eerie."

On whether she brought protective charms, she explained: "I didn't bring anything on shooting days. I focused on being surrounded by people."

Reacting to Bam Saralee's support with flowers, Um expressed genuine joy: "I was very happy because I specifically invited her to come, and she wanted to support me. I was delighted she brought flowers—they're beautiful."

When asked if Bam would watch the film, Um laughed: "Bam is very afraid of ghosts. I'm happy she came because she's such a scaredy-cat. I don't know if she'll give in and watch it with me at the cinema."

Despite the horror premise, Um encouraged Bam: "I told her, 'You can watch it. I'm scared too. At least we can be scared together.'"