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Phuket — Authorities in Phuket have launched an urgent investigation into reports of discolored seawater along Patong Beach, following directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin to strengthen land use oversight and environmental protection in the province. Governor Chotnarin Kedsom instructed the Phuket Office of Natural Resources and […] Phuket Governor Orders Urgent Water Quality Checks at Patong Beach -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnvirakul, heading the Bhumjaithai Party, discussed the special election for Udon Thani District 3 on July 22 at Nong Nooch Garden in Chachoengsao Province. The seat became vacant following the death of incumbent Rang Thurapol. Anuthín said the party maintains good relations with its coalition partner Pheu Thai, emphasizing that the government exists to serve the people and the nation.

When asked whether Pheu Thai would step aside as political courtesy typically dictates, Anuthín said he cannot speak for others. He stressed that Bhumjaithai must prepare a capable, ready candidate who can serve the local community and select the best person available.

On the question of coalition courtesy, Anuthín remarked that norms have been broken before and questioned how he could reciprocate. He stated the party will field its strongest candidate and let voters decide, noting there is no risk in doing so—victory would be balanced, defeat would be borne alone. When asked if he was concerned about the Move Forward Party, which grew significantly in the last general election, Anuthín replied that his concern during electoral contests is whether the party has done well by the people. He emphasized that as a current MP, he works the ground almost daily and prioritizes fieldwork over party meetings, rejecting any notion that holding office guarantees easy victory. He concluded that everything ultimately rests with the people and their decision must be respected.

Prime Minister Anuchim Chaivirakul said on July 22 that he is urging the Central Administrative Court Committee to expedite a report on its resolution to dismiss 5,924 local officials, which was scheduled for July 23 but postponed indefinitely. The PM stated the matter requires an official written report before Deputy Interior Minister Voraphot Liangprasoet, whom he assigned to oversee the Department of Local Administration, can proceed. Once the committee has completed its review and is ready, a meeting will be called.

When asked whether legal authority to revoke officials' positions ultimately rests with the CACC, Anuchin confirmed it is a committee resolution. He clarified that affected individuals have the right to challenge the decision in court, which will be settled through legal proceedings. He stressed that all agencies must follow the law, even the Interior Ministry cannot direct the CACC as it operates independently within the legal framework.

Regarding details, the PM said affected persons can pursue legal action to contest whether the CACC had proper authority to dismiss them. He reaffirmed that a formal report must be submitted first, and that further details should be requested from the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry.

The owner of Somphol Tourism has apologized and clarified that the man who boarded the opposing white bus and assaulted the driver was not an employee of the company, stating that he was hired separately through another driver to help load luggage. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on July 21 on the motorway when the company was transporting a group of 10 vehicles on a study trip from a Pathumthani local government organization to Chanthaburi, with one lead vehicle provided by the organization itself.

Somphol explained that his convoy was traveling in the second lane from the right at approximately 80 kilometers per hour when the opposing bus suddenly changed lanes, causing his lead bus to swerve to the far right lane and forcing following vehicles to brake suddenly. All parties pulled over to sort out the situation, during which the first bus driver approached the other vehicle to inquire, but Somphol acknowledged that heated words may have been exchanged. He emphasized that the man who boarded the opposing bus and committed the assault was not a company driver or luggage handler, but rather someone hired externally.

Somphol stated that the company conducts regular training on traffic discipline, criminal background checks, and alcohol and drug screening before employees work, but since the assailant was not a company member, such checks could not be performed. He announced that future measures will be implemented to strictly vet or prohibit the hiring of outside personnel, with a meeting to be held once all staff return from their current assignments in other provinces. Somphol also apologized to the public and viewers for the behavior of the individuals involved, while asking for understanding that the person in the video was not a company employee.

Phra Kru Prasit Sarnakun, known as Luang Por Pin Inthasaro, was a distinguished former abbot of Wat Ubonwanaram in Daeangsadawk district, Ratchaburi province, and a student who inherited advanced Buddhist knowledge from Luang Por Kong at Wat Bang Krapom. Born February 23, 1901, in Klongnai, Samphran district, Nakhon Pathom province, to parents Nai Long and Nang Pring Imsarani, he was placed in monastic education at a young age before attending Phra Pathom College. After his father's death, he left school to help support his mother. At age 21 in 1922, he was ordained at Wat Bang Chang Nuea, receiving the religious name Inthasaro. He studied both Pali and Dhamma extensively at Wat Thongnopakun in Bangkok, earning the rank of senior Dhamma scholar and passing five difficult Pali examinations. He became skilled in Dhamma preaching, astrology, and Buddhist occult knowledge, later teaching at multiple temples including Wat Thongnopakun, Wat Thalo in Kanchanaburi, Wat Amronrat Samakhom, Wat Prasatsit, and Wat Ubonwanaram. In 1938, he established the first Pali studies program in Daeangsadawk district at Wat Prasatsit, and with Phra Kru Lom, he founded the Sri Prommin school at that temple in 1941. After transferring to Wat Ubonwanaram, he helped raise funds to build Ubonwanaram School (Nim Phin Mukprachanugul). He also assisted in constructing several other schools in the area. In 1947, following Phra Uthikan Nim's retreat from the abbacy, the sangha and temple committee unanimously appointed him as abbot. As abbot, he continued to develop and enhance Wat Ubonwanaram. Beyond his fame as a preacher, he earned widespread reverence for his Buddhist occult knowledge, being frequently invited to perform consecrations and blessings. He compassionately helped all who came to him with troubles and hardships. The residents of Daeangsadawk district recognized him as a highly virtuous monk of exceptional spiritual merit, possessing a generous and compassionate heart—outwardly appearing as a monk-developer and teacher of Dhamma and Pali, but also well known throughout the district for his excellence in preaching and religious instruction. He served as a shelter and refuge for the people of Daeangsadawk for many years until 1952.