On Friday, July 10, 2026, Somdej Phra Maha Ratchmongkol Muni (Thongchai Thammacho), a member of the Supreme Sangha Council and senior abbot of the Central Region, chaired a project implementation meeting and presented honor plaques recognizing outstanding Five Precepts Villages for 2026 at the Buddhamamndal Auditorium.

Four villages were honored as national exemplars: Dong Khi Lek village in Ban Rai subdistrict, Damnoen Saduak district, Ratchaburi; Lak Mueang village in Si Thep subdistrict, Si Thep district, Phetchabun; Pong village in Bung Lert subdistrict, Roi Et; and Phang Palm village in Palm Phattana subdistrict, Manang district, Satun.

Somdej Phra Maha Ratchmongkol Muni emphasized that the project to promote harmony and unity through Buddhist teachings originated from the vision of the late Somdej Phra Maha Ratchmangkalacharya of Wat Pak Nam, a former Supreme Sangha Patriarch, in 2014. The project has three primary objectives: public welfare, national peace, and offering merit to the Thai royal family. Now in its twelfth year, the initiative promotes the Buddhist principles of precepts, meditation, and wisdom as a foundation for social harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Somdej Phra Thamvichirasunthon, abbot of Wat Kavisaram and acting chair of the central committee, stated that the Five Precepts Village project has been running since 2014 with strong support from the Buddhist Sangha and government agencies. He noted this represents one of the largest coordinated efforts in Thai Buddhist outreach and social welfare work. In the 2025 fiscal year, the project committee worked continuously across all 77 provinces to implement and monitor the program, ultimately selecting villages that demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Five Precepts as model villages worthy of public recognition.

Phra Kru Sophon Prachanarat, known as Luang Pu Narat Nakaseno, was a distinguished Buddhist scholar and meditation master at Wat Sri Loha Rat in Kanchanaburi's Ta Muang district. Originally named Narat Perm Bun, he was born October 4, 1901, to farmer parents Pim and Sambuon. He was ordained at age 29 on July 10, 1930, receiving the monastic name Nakaseno. Beyond his studies under Luang Pu Prot at his home temple, he traveled widely to study Vipassana meditation with Luang Pu Perm at Wat Chaichumpol and Luang Pu Nak at Wat Tamnantuen. He also journeyed to Bangkok to train under the renowned Luang Pu Sod Candasaro at Wat Paknam in advanced meditation and subtle body practices, attending twice. He studied traditional healing arts with lay masters including medicinal remedies for kidney disease.

In 1951, when the abbot position at Wat Sri Loha Rat became vacant, villagers invited him to lead the temple, which he subsequently developed significantly. In 1976, he and his disciples uncovered several tons of ancient lead from Sri Sawat district, believed to be casting remnants from the Sukhothai period used to create Buddha images. The discovery was confirmed by matching Khmer inscriptions on lead pieces found in nearby temple caches. From 1976 to 1977, he used the recovered lead to create amulets for sale, directing proceeds toward constructing the ordination hall at Wat Sri Loha Rat and funding temple renovations across Sri Sawat district.

He served as a preceptor from 1955 onward. In 1964 he was appointed Phra Kru Phandit (second rank), and in 1968 he received royal promotion to Phra Kru Sanyanabat Trikiat (first rank). In 1972 he was promoted to Phra Kru Sanyanabat Thoikiat (second rank). He died peacefully of old age on May 24, 1987, at age 86 with 57 years of monastic life. Among his amulets, the first-edition coins cast in 1960 to commemorate a new meditation hut dedication are highly prized by collectors. These coins were cast in a single copper alloy with a dark patina, with some bearing the abbot's consecration seal, totaling just five hundred pieces.

Many people have noticed their stools floating in the toilet after defecation and worried whether it signals disease. Gastroenterologist Dr. Chuawheyru emphasized that floating stools alone don't necessarily mean the body has abnormalities, as excess intestinal gas from eating habits can cause this. However, if this occurs regularly with other signs, you should see a doctor. Greasy or oily stools with oil slicks on the toilet water may indicate poor fat digestion and absorption, a condition called steatorrhea, characterized by large, fatty, pale-colored stools. Unusually foul-smelling stools may indicate malabsorption; while normal stool odor is expected, severe or distinctly abnormal smells warrant attention, especially if accompanied by bloating, diarrhea, or frequent gas. Stools that are difficult to flush and stick to the bowl frequently, particularly if pale, bulky, and persistent, may also relate to steatorrhea. When floating, oily, foul-smelling, and hard-to-flush stools occur together repeatedly, it is more concerning and may indicate pancreatic enzyme deficiency, chronic pancreatitis, bile duct problems, or intestinal malabsorption. If these symptoms persist along with unexplained weight loss, chronic diarrhea, bloating, abdominal or back pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, or increasingly pale stools, consult a gastroenterologist. Doctors may order blood tests, stool analysis, abdominal ultrasound, or endoscopy to assess liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestinal nutrient absorption function.

A delivery worker identified as Mr. O gave his account of a confrontation that left a woman and her 14-year-old son injured, insisting he had no intention of committing assault but only sought to collect outstanding payment for goods. Mr. O said he delivered a parcel after the customer promised to transfer 2,712 baht by 20:30, but payment never arrived. When he returned to retrieve the package, he found it had been opened and its collagen contents partially consumed. After the customer repeatedly broke payment promises and avoided contact, Mr. O visited the home with two relatives to pursue collection. He said an argument erupted, during which one of his relatives kicked a water basin and scuffled with the customer, and the customer's son came out with a broom handle and struck his relative's face and shoulder, causing bleeding. Mr. O denies participating in the violence and claims he intervened to stop his relative. He stated he was unfairly fired by his company over the viral incident despite not being the direct aggressor, and that he still has not recovered his commission of approximately 2,000 baht. He says he has audio recordings and communications records to support his version and will submit them to police.

Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited, Thailand's first life insurance company, is continuing its "Thai Life Insurance Read For Life: Delivering Knowledge to Communities" program for 2025, marking its fifth year of operation.

Working with the Matichon media group, the company carefully selects quality books from Matichon Publishing and delivers them through company sales personnel to 24 community centers across the country near branch locations. The program aims to promote lifelong learning and advance equitable access to education in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tithima Liaengpanich, Director of Communications and Organizational Sustainability at Thai Life Insurance, revealed that the Read For Life program has been running since 2021 and has distributed books to 216 community locations across all regions of Thailand. This year, the company selected books covering diverse subjects including self-development, health, finance, history, and arts and culture, delivering them to community centers through the company's nationwide branch network to distribute knowledge from the center outward to communities across different areas.

Tithima explained that the program targets all age groups and demographics. Although each area has different physical and geographic characteristics, the program remains aligned with the context and interests of each community group. For example, children and youth are interested in skill-building and foundational learning materials, working-age adults prefer life skills and financial books, while general communities value practical knowledge applicable to daily life.

"Over the past four years, the program has focused on promoting reading to create equal access to knowledge, which is central to sustainable development in line with global SDGs. Thai society still has significant gaps in opportunity and learning, especially in rural and remote areas and among vulnerable groups. We believe that access to knowledge is the starting point for reducing inequality and building sustainable quality of life," Tithima said.

Tithima shared an impressive case study showing that after book distribution, communities demonstrated increased reading awareness, leading to reading promotion activities such as storytelling circles and group discussion sessions. Some communities even expanded their library facilities, demonstrating that the books were put to real use and created tangible behavioral changes within those communities.

"The company considers the needs and participation of community members because we believe that valuable knowledge must begin with understanding the recipient. Our sales team, who work closely with communities, surveys and reflects community needs, then selects books appropriate to each location's context so every book can truly inspire, facilitate learning, and provide real benefit," she added.

Regarding changes in Thai reading behavior in the digital age, Tithima noted that Thai society is experiencing an information overload era, with people reading shorter materials and spending more time with digital media. However, the program remains confident that content quality has greater value and importance than the quantity of information.

Authorities have dismantled a major cigarette smuggling operation, seizing 7,500 cartons of untaxed cigarettes valued at over 70 million baht being transported from Sangkhla Buri District in Kanchanaburi to a warehouse in Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province. On July 18, based on intelligence received by 9th Infantry Regiment Commander Pol. Lt. Natthaphong Aswinwong, two covered pickup trucks were spotted attempting to move the contraband by concealing it among ordinary parcels. A joint operation involving military special forces units and Kanchanaburi Provincial Police intercepted both vehicles at the Tharyoek permanent checkpoint around 8:30 p.m. and discovered numerous cardboard boxes hidden inside. Upon inspection, the contents were identified as Krong Thip brand cigarettes in soft red packs labeled "FOR EXPORT ONLY"—products exempt from taxation that are prohibited from domestic sale.

The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects, seizure of 150 boxes (7,500 cartons) of cigarettes, two covered pickup trucks, and three mobile phones, with total damages assessed at over 70 million baht. During initial questioning, the suspects confessed to being hired to transport the parcels from a warehouse in Sangkhla Buri to another in Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, claiming this was their second such delivery. Charges have been filed under the Excise Tax Act for possession and intent to sell tax-exempt goods without legal authorization. The suspects and evidence are in custody with Tharyoek Police Station, which will proceed with formal legal action.