Book Review: "Buddhist Biography From Buddha's Own Words" Author: Bhikkhu Buddhadasa Published by: Thammasopa Publishing House Price: 400 baht

"Buddhist Biography From Buddha's Own Words" stands as a masterwork by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa (part of the Dharma Proclamation series). This book invites readers to trace the Buddha's life through "his own words" without fictional additions or miracles obscuring the essential truth. It emphasizes practical living, ways of facing the world, and the path to ending suffering, spanning from his birth through his enlightenment, dharma teachings, to his parinirvana.

The book is structured around four key sections: the Buddha's arising (describing his determination, principles, and life's beginning); his quest and enlightenment (his struggles and discovery of the Four Noble Truths); his religious proclamation (methods of teaching to kings, brahmins, and common people); and his parinirvana (final events and teachings).

What makes this volume exceptional is that it compiles the Buddha's biography using only his actual words from the Pali Canon's Suttas and Vinaya sections, allowing readers to learn directly from the Buddha himself. The book contains 724 pages with durable binding suitable for collection or as a gift.

The Buddha was not a supernatural deity but an "awakened human." This book demonstrates how he lived with understanding of suffering and transformed it into wisdom's light. Bhikkhu Buddhadasa's elegant presentation shows that we too can awaken as the Buddha did.

BANGKOK — Thai customs officials have arrested a foreign transit passenger after seizing 17.53 kilograms of heroin concealed inside food and dietary supplement packaging at Suvarnabhumi Airport, preventing the drugs from reaching their final destination in Madagascar.

The seizure was announced on 9 July by the Customs Department, whose Investigation and Suppression Bureau worked alongside the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) after identifying a high-risk passenger suspected of smuggling narcotics.

According to authorities, the suspect had travelled from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia and was transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport before continuing to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route to Ivato International Airport in Madagascar.

Customs officers divided into two teams. One team inspected the traveller's checked baggage at the transit passenger baggage handling facility after X-ray screening revealed suspicious objects inside the luggage. The second team intercepted the passenger at the boarding gate and escorted him, together with the luggage, for a detailed inspection.

The search uncovered coffee bags, green tea packets and dietary supplement packages from various brands concealing plastic bags filled with clumped white powder. A chemical test confirmed the substance was heroin.

Authorities seized a total of 17.53 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of 7.3 million baht.

The suspect was taken into custody and handed over to investigators for legal proceedings, while authorities continue expanding the investigation to identify accomplices in the trafficking network both in Thailand and overseas.

The Director-General of the Customs Department said the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of the department's risk analysis system and close cooperation among enforcement agencies in preventing Thailand from being used as a transit hub for international drug trafficking. He reaffirmed the department's commitment to protecting society from the threat of illicit narcotics.

Thailand generated 4.025 billion baht in investment from foreign film productions during the first half of 2026, cementing its position as one of the world's premier filming destinations.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan announced that 302 international productions obtained filming permits through the Department of Tourism in the first six months of 2026, bringing in 4.025 billion baht combined—already surpassing half of what the country earned for the entire 2025.

The government expects several major international productions to launch filming in Thailand during the second half of the year, with the possibility of setting a new record for foreign film production revenue in 2026.

Feature films led investment contributions with 21 productions generating 1.989 billion baht. Game shows and reality television programmes ranked second with 22 productions worth 811 million baht, followed by 152 advertising productions contributing 710 million baht.

The United States topped the list of countries and regions investing in Thailand's film industry with 1.543 billion baht, trailed by Hong Kong (322 million baht), Finland (300 million baht), Germany (297 million baht), and the United Kingdom (230 million baht).

Government officials attributed Thailand's success to its diverse locations, skilled production teams, robust production infrastructure, and competitive financial incentives tailored for foreign productions. They highlighted the 30% cash rebate programme as a cornerstone policy to position Thailand as a regional film and content production hub while generating jobs and sustained economic growth.

On July 10, 2025, Namo Jewelry Shop, Diamond, Gold & Jewelry announced their court victory after being sued for 100 million baht. The Suphan Buri Provincial Court dismissed the case, granting victory to both defendants.

The shop owner expressed that karma is taking its course against those who sued an employee who could not defend himself. The employee was named as the primary defendant in both criminal and civil cases, despite having trusted and supported the plaintiff's business. He was just an ordinary worker, and when discrepancies were found, he had the right to claim his own rights. The shop retrieved its goods and the plaintiff then sued him, even though the employee's wife was pregnant and they had almost no money—not even enough to pay for a lawyer.

The shop owner stated they were sued in both civil and criminal cases despite never defaming anyone, only providing information to help others and society.

The owner consulted with their lawyer, Kaeow Kaet, who confirmed that filing a countersuit for filing a false and defamatory case is definitely possible, which could result in jail time for the plaintiff.

The owner expressed that this victory has given them strength and motivation to continue helping others, and hopes that goodness will protect good people.

Saturday, July 11, 2026 marks the 16th death anniversary of Phra Mongkhol Wachiracharn, known as Luang Por Suk Sangkhosophon, a celebrated Buddhist monk and former abbot of Wat Khao Tao Khrao in Ban Lam District, Phetchaburi Province, and former advisor to the Ban Lam District monastic council. Born on September 22, 1922, as Prasop Sangsureeya in Samut Sakhon Province, he was ordained at age 22 on July 27, 1944, at Wat Khao Tao Khrao under the preceptor Phra Kru Maha Vihara Abhirak. After ordination, he devoted himself to Buddhist studies and achieved the highest rank of Dharma scholar from Wat Khao Tao Khrao's monastic school. He was appointed abbot of Wat Khao Tao Khrao from 1952 and became district monastic supervisor in 1977. In 2003, he received ecclesiastical rank as Phra Mongkhol Wachiracharn from the Thai monarchy.

Throughout his monastic life, Luang Por Suk championed education and Buddhism, constructing school buildings at Wat Khao Tao Khrao and Ban Bang Haw School, and establishing educational scholarships across 32 institutions in Ban Lam District over 15 years. He was renowned as a skilled consecrator of sacred amulets, particularly revered Buddha images. He transformed the temple grounds by constructing monks' cells, renovating the ordination hall, and building monuments including a stupa containing Buddha relics on Khao Tao Khrao hill. He also established a public health station, community police outpost, and organized sports and cultural events tied to Buddhist celebrations.

Wat Khao Tao Khrao houses the principal Buddha image, Luang Por Khao Tao Khrao, standing 29 inches tall with a width of 21 inches, which devotees and pilgrims have revered for generations. Local legend traces the image to the late Ayutthaya period when Ban Lam residents fleeing Burmese invasions discovered it in a fishing net at the mouth of the Mae Klong River. The image is believed to be one of three "sibling" Buddha statues, with counterparts at temples in Chachoengsao and Samut Songkhram provinces. Luang Por Suk's contributions elevated Wat Khao Tao Khrao to prominence throughout Thailand and among Buddhist communities worldwide.

On July 10, 2569, Phakamon Huntanan, Bhumjaithai party list MP and spokesperson, commented on the local civil service exam fraud case in which Samrit Liangprasit, Satun Provincial Administration Organization chairman, has been named as a suspect. Samrit is the uncle of Worasissadej Liangprasit, Deputy Interior Minister. Phakamon stated she hopes Worasissadej won't deny knowing or being close to his uncle.

While acknowledging the suspect's legal presumption of innocence and right to clarify facts with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Phakamon questioned public confidence. She noted the contradiction: Worasissadej, overseeing the Local Administration Promotion Department, has publicly stated that corruption probes must be thorough and reach the roots, yet now the suspect is someone very close to him—his father's elder brother. The public won't believe Worasissadej will truly pursue justice, she argued.

Phakamon called for Worasissadej to recuse himself from the investigation to ensure fairness, as public doubt has undermined trust. She warned that remaining in office could jeopardize his position in future cabinet reshuffles.

"Even if officials claim to be blind to names and treat guilt objectively, people won't believe they won't tamper with evidence or favor associates, or that they genuinely intend to dig deep and find the real culprits," she said. "In the end, as I mentioned, even if you find the trunk, it's still the same root."

Phakamon emphasized Worasissadej should show integrity by recusing himself, as he lacks impartiality given a close relative's involvement. This would demonstrate good faith and restore public confidence that he has no hidden involvement in the exam fraud.