The Bodhikhaya Witchayalai 980 Institute is advancing its "Bodhi People Mobilization" initiative to establish the "Bodhikhaya Fellowship" as a "Bodhikhaya Dhamma Army" to protect, support, and disseminate Buddhism in various roles both domestically and internationally.

Venerable Phromvachir Bodhiwongse (Veeryut Veeryuttho), head of the India-Nepal Dhamma Emissaries and abbot of Wat Thai Bodhikhaya, chaired the Bodhi People Mobilization meeting held on July 25, 1983, at the Thai Nakhon Pattana Company conference room. The gathering included senior monks, government and private sector representatives, and those who had ordained at the Bodhikhaya site.

Dr. Supchai Veeraphuchong, secretary-general of the institute, explained that the organization has been promoting the Dhamma Army concept under the "Bodhi People Mobilization" framework. The Bodhikhaya Witchayalai 980 Institute was founded in 2007 by a group who ordained at the Bodhi Mandapa beneath the great Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya in Bihar, India, as a merit offering to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on his 80th birthday. All participants were given the name "Bodhi," meaning "awakening."

Over the past 20 years, the institute has functioned as an international think tank, guided by the principle "Use Dhamma as power, not power as Dhamma." The network believes the Bodhi people are not merely a group of former monastics but a collective intellectual force forming a "Dhamma Army" to protect, promote, and uphold Buddhism. The institute is committed to preserving and spreading Buddhist principles as a universal human treasure, with the goal of creating a new world order based on morality, concentration, and wisdom rather than money or power.

Venerable Rajabodhivitetsavichimuni, Dr. Sompong Yanatthiro, secretary of the India-Nepal Dhamma Emissaries, reported that this gathering resulted from consultations among institute leadership to unite prominent individuals named "Bodhi" to exchange ideas and solidarity. Two preliminary meetings concluded that the organization should establish a Bodhi database and define its operational vision, leading to the formation of the Bodhikhaya Fellowship and the creation of the Bodhikhaya Dhamma Army to support and protect Buddhism.

Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) was established on July 27, 1990, as Thailand's first state-sponsored autonomous university and the nation's first technology institution. It pioneered a flexible management system called "integrated services and coordinated operations," a novel approach in Thai higher education at that time. Guided by the vision of its founding president, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisuan, known as the "father of SUT," the university transformed from a theoretical institution into one of action. On its 36th anniversary, Acting President Associate Professor Dr. Sitthichai Saengaditya reflected on the university's growth and outlined its future direction. "If a university were a person, at 36 years old it would be a fully mature adult," he noted. SUT has passed through three 12-year cycles, a period of full institutional growth. The university transformed degraded forest land into one of the country's leading green campuses, strengthened academics, research, innovation, and community engagement, and gained recognition at national and international levels, ranking among Thailand's top 10 universities according to prestigious institutions like QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, Webometrics, and U.S. News & World Report.

"The greatest source of pride is creating quality people."

Over its history, SUT has produced nearly 50,000 graduates at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in fields including science, engineering, agricultural technology, social technology, digital arts and sciences, public health, medicine, nursing, and dentistry. Graduate employment rates exceed 90 percent, with alumni working across government, private business, and industry sectors. Many have become top organizational leaders and successful entrepreneurs, and continue supporting younger generations. The university's teaching quality is further evidenced by new student enrollment in regular programs for academic year 2569 exceeding targets, reflecting confidence from students and parents nationwide. SUT also won 7 of 15 national cooperative education and work-integrated learning (CWIE) awards, demonstrating strength in developing student competencies to meet modern labor market demands. Coupled with advancing teaching standards, 75.1 percent of faculty have been certified in teaching competency under the United Kingdom's Professional Standards Framework (PSF) for higher education. The university also operates Surawiwat School, which develops learning skills for secondary students and serves as a model for other schools to elevate Thai secondary education to international standards.

"Creating research value: from concept to commercialization."

SUT's research quality is continuously published and cited at international levels, with strong technology transfer, knowledge dissemination, and development activities linked to academic services.

PHUKET: Local officials released 300,000 black tiger shrimp into coastal waters at Saphan Hin on Friday (July 24) as part of celebrations marking His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorns birthday tomorrow (July 28).

Patchranutt Yanyongkasiri, known as Pao Peuy and a Grade 10 student at Srinakharinwirot University Demonstration School in Bangkok, brought honor to Thailand at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2026 in Las Vegas. Competing across 23 categories, she claimed 21 medals comprising 13 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze, along with 10 Division Champion awards in the 10-15 age group, establishing herself as one of Thailand's standout performers at the global event. She was also invited to a private go-see with international entertainment industry experts, opening doors to potential opportunities in international music and acting. Additionally, as a member of the K-pop group 24K alongside Charin Sinthavathawar and Prim Wattanaphrom, the group won 7 gold medals, 1 silver, 1 bronze, and 5 Division Champion trophies, further elevating Thailand's reputation on the world stage.

Police raided an entertainment venue in the Nong Bon subdistrict of Prawet, Bangkok, at 2:30 a.m. on July 27, 2025, under the command of Pol. Maj. Gen. Worawit Yanjinda. Officers found 65 customers and staff on the premises and conducted identity checks and drug tests on all of them. Results showed 45 patrons were under 20 years old, including 29 aged 18–20 (15 male, 14 female) and 16 under 18 (5 male, 11 female). Drug screening detected illicit substances in 8 individuals: 6 adults and 2 youth under 20.

Police arrested the venue operator, identified as Tosaporn (surname withheld), age 33, and seized evidence including one bottle of beer, one bottle of spirits, two QR payment codes, 11 receipt books, and an ice bucket with tongs. He was charged with operating an entertainment venue without a license, selling alcoholic beverages to minors, and enticing or enabling children to engage in inappropriate conduct in violation of the Child Protection Act.

A nursing student reported being sexually assaulted by a Grab driver in Udon Thani province on July 25. The 20-year-old victim, identified as Ms. A, said she called a ride-share car to reach a dormitory in Udon Thani city. The driver, a man she called "Tern," aged 30–35, initially told her to cancel the app order due to payment issues but offered to drive her anyway for 67 baht cash. During the drive, the driver repeatedly asked personal questions about her work, age, school, and relationship status. He then ordered her twice to move to the front seat, which she refused. On the third demand, he spoke harshly and pulled over near a school, forcing her to comply. Once she sat in front, he began touching her legs, rubbing upward to her stomach and chest, though he did not reach under her clothes. When she protested, he claimed the vehicle's dark tint would prevent anyone from seeing inside. He then pressured her to call her friend and say she would arrive late so he could take her somewhere private. When her friend called, she told them what was happening. Frightened, she managed to convince the driver she would see him later, saying she needed to visit her friend first and that her friend had errands to run. She exchanged Line contact information with him under duress. The victim has filed a police complaint and posted her account on Facebook as a warning to other women using ride-sharing services.