The budget committee of the House of Representatives held an extraordinary session on August 21 to review proposed budget amendments for fiscal year 2570, chaired by Deputy Minister Phrader Parisnananthakul. The committee considered 38.57 billion baht in requested budget adjustments from the cabinet approved on August 18, split into two main agendas: approval of increases and modifications from 65 budgetary units totaling 37.584 billion baht, and consideration of proposals from ten independent state agencies totaling 988 million baht.

Committee member Nanthana Songpraja proposed redirecting 11.162 billion baht that had been cut, distributing it among nine agencies including the central emergency reserve fund (6.044 billion baht), the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (148 million baht), and the Office of Vocational Education Commission (96 million baht).

Meanwhile, committee member Sirikanya Tansukul from the Pheu Thai Party proposed increasing funding for the Science, Research and Innovation Fund by 6 billion baht and the Student Loan Fund (YFPO) by 5.162 billion baht. She noted that with 706,000 current borrowers and only 9 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2570, the funding is insufficient to serve existing and new applicants, risking tens of thousands of students dropping out of the system. The fund collected only 27,000 million baht in fiscal 2568, falling short of the 33,000 million baht target for 2570.

The committee majority supported Nanthana's amendment and opposed Sirikanya's proposal to increase YFPO funding. Committee member Krueang Parisnananthakul noted that while YFPO will receive nearly 9 billion baht in 2570, the core problem remains the fund's 200 billion baht debt arrears, which blocks new funding from entering the system.

During a Budget Committee meeting on August 21, 2025, at Parliament, committee member Wanmuhammadnor Matha raised concerns about the pension fund for former parliamentarians and senators, which has faced cuts despite being established by law. He recounted receiving calls from a now-deceased former representative who needed 5,000 baht for hospital bills but had no money, as creditors had seized any funds in his personal account. Wanmuhammadnor also described cases of former lawmakers evicted from rental homes for inability to pay rent, refusing to rely on their children for support due to pride.

"Former parliamentarians are not all wealthy," Wanmuhammadnor said, citing data showing 1,800 former members requesting assistance annually, with the fund requiring 600-700 million baht yearly. He noted the fund has received only 200 million baht and has faced a 300 million baht shortfall. He argued that other countries like Cambodia and Laos still provide welfare for former parliamentarians and urged recognition of their dignity and honor.

Parliament Vice President Phradet Phasinananthakul acknowledged the concern as an important observation for discussion with relevant agencies. Committee member Chada Thaiserit from Uthai Thani, representing the Phumi Chai Thai party, echoed support, saying many former lawmakers struggle financially due to restrictions on their income, including prohibitions on stock ownership. He criticized the notion that former parliamentarians should not receive assistance, arguing that society should show compassion for those who once served in difficult circumstances.

Book: 'Wei Lang's Formula' Author: Venerable Wei Lang (Hui Leng), Sangha Prinnayaka Publisher: Mental Health Publishing House Price: 195 baht

This book is genuinely intended for serious intellectuals. Those who cling firmly to their existing knowledge, prefer easy listening and simple memorization, will find little benefit in reading it. Readers must cultivate an open mind. If you encounter teachings that differ from your established beliefs, do not rush to reject them. Instead, approach the text as a fresh reader with a new spirit and new wisdom, striving to understand the author's true meaning. Reserve judgment about right and wrong until you have read and studied the material many times over. What we consider correct may not align with Wei Lang's approach, yet both may be consistent with the Buddha's teachings—the difference lies in how the dharma is explained and presented.

Some methods draw the unknowing forward by leading them by the hand, while others guide them forward with only gentle guidance. Choose whichever approach suits you: do you prefer to be led, or would you rather walk ahead with minimal guidance? If you prefer the latter, Wei Lang's teachings will be of greatest benefit to you.

Buddhism has no Chinese form, Thai form, or Western form. There is only the Buddha's Buddhism. However, the methods of teaching and the ways of reaching understanding differ greatly across different eras, times, and regions.

Wei Lang's Formula is a revered scripture in Zen Buddhism, serving as a crucial record of the teachings of Venerable Wei Lang, the Sixth Sangha Prinnayaka. The content begins with his biography and his approach to the dharma before presenting important teachings on topics including wisdom, skillful means and wisdom, concentration and wisdom, meditation, recognition of karma, and teachings suited to individuals and their circumstances. The book also covers the nature of the sangha and various schools, the final resting place discourse, and ultimate teachings—offering readers a systematic view of Wei Lang's practice and thought.

This book serves both as an important Buddhist scripture and as a source for understanding the fundamental thinking of Zen Buddhism.

Also featured this week: 'Thai Buddhist Art and Its Connection to Sri Lanka,' authored by Rungrojn Thammrung from the Sirinat Center for Anthropology (Public Organization). The work examines how Thailand and Sri Lanka have maintained long-standing religious connections. Most commonly recognized is Thailand's adoption of Buddhism from Sri Lanka around the 18th Buddhist century—a form now called Theravada Buddhism—which played a significant role in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Sukhothai, and Lan Na. While evidence has traditionally relied on written documents, incorporating art-historical evidence reveals even deeper connections and allows us to trace Buddhist links back more than 1,500 years to the Dvaravati period.

In Bangkok, Thai spiritual practice and prayer rituals are woven into the daily lives of city dwellers as a form of soul care. As healing becomes a new luxury, a journey through temples and urban landscapes becomes fundamentally a quest for inner calm and positive energy.

Bangkok's Spiritual Sites

Erawan Shrine: Located in the Ratchaprasong business district, devotees seek blessings for career, wealth, health, and relationships, bringing holistic balance and protection to life.

Mariamman Temple: Situated in Silom, worshippers appeal to the Mountain Goddess for unconditional love, inner strength, and fearless courage.

Ganesh Shrine: The elephant-headed god of wisdom and arts removes obstacles in life and work, inspiring new plans and creative ventures.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat: At the heart of Yaowarat (Chinatown), this major temple resolves celestial conflicts and brings harmony and well-being.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen: The 69-meter bronze seated Buddha overlooking the Chao Phraya River serves as an urban sanctuary for meditation and reflection.

San Chao Pho Suea: Located in the historic Phra Nakhon district, this powerful shrine counters ill-wishers, dissolves negative energy, and overcomes hardship.

Tai Hong Kong White Jade Shrine: Founded on compassion and charity, offering merit through coffin donations to the poor, bringing health and family protection.

The true journey is not about crossing great distances, but about finding stillness, hope, and strength amid sacred incense and serene energy.

Phra That Phanom, a sacred Buddhist monument revered by Thai and Lao devotees on both banks of the Mekong River, is enshrined at Phra That Phanom Woramahaviharn Temple in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. Dating back more than 2,500 years and traditionally built in 8 BE by five kings, with Phra Maha Kassapa presiding alongside 500 arahants, this square stupa reaches a height of 57 meters with a base of 12.33 meters on each side. It contains the chest relics of Buddha along with reliquaries corresponding to different zodiac signs and birth days.

Amulets and charms featuring Phra That Phanom are highly popular among collectors for their spiritual power to ward off all dangers and provide protection. Notably, blessed powder and coins bearing the Phra That Phanom image on both sides are especially prized, though powder amulets are produced in limited editions.

A group of devoted disciples led by the Dragon Wealth Blessing Team received permission to create blessed objects commemorating the gold-casting of a replica Phra That Phanom. The amulets are blessed powder of Somdet Chin Banchar in the "Million-Elephant King" series, intended to be installed at Khon Saai Temple in Liang Nok Tha District, Yasothon Province, the monsoon residence of 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo. These commemorative blessed objects were cast in 3-tier and 9-tier versions, produced in limited quantities across 60 entries with varying quantities per mold.

The front features the imprint of the 3-tier and 9-tier Somdet amulets with silver takrut cords, while the reverse displays a replica Phra That Phanom paired with Phra Sattanakarat, a seven-headed serpent deity, its hood spreading to encircle the stupa. The blessed powder contains materials including Phra That Phanom brick, blessed powder, auspicious herbal essence, and sacred substances from three revered monks: Luang Pu Sila Sirijunno, Phra Ajarn Suriyant Kosapanyo, and 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo.

The consecration ceremony took place at Phra That Phanom Woramahaviharn Temple before the Serpent King Deity, presided over by Khun Orkanya Saba (Madame Noi), a Maha Sarakham administrative official, as the lay representative. Following Brahmanical rituals led by the renowned Brahmin Ajarn Tort Khemnakaraj to honor the sacred elements within the temple and the seven naga spirits protecting Phra That Phanom, the presiding official lit the victory candle and chanted blessings before scattering blessed rice and flowers on the merit table.

On July 19, 2025, at 12:49 PM, the Buddhist blessing ceremony commenced, with 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo presiding over the monastic contingent as candles were lit and four ceremonial monks chanted the consecration mantra. Renowned eastern Thailand masters participated, including Phra Thepwachiryanunsuntor, Phra Ajarn Suriyant Kosapanyo of Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen in Maha Sarakham, Luang Pu Thin of Wat Khon Saai in Yasothon, Phra Ajarn Chalat Kantiko of Wat Phon Sawan in Noen Sub District of Nakhon Phanom, and Phra Khru Phonom Preecharakorn, secretary to the Phra That Phanom abbot, who sat meditating. Afterward, Phra Ajarn Suriyant sprinkled divine flowers and blessed water over the consecrated objects before presiding over the gold-casting ceremony for the replica Phra That Phanom nearby. Lay representatives presented the requisites of monks and extended their merit, concluding the ceremony.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on August 21 that flooding persists across six provinces: Nan, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sakon Nakhon, and Ubon Ratchathani, affecting 23,823 households totaling 73,797 people across 16 districts, 61 subdistricts, and 363 villages. Two fatalities have been recorded in Nan Province—one in Pua district and one in Tha Wang Pha district. The department and affiliated agencies are continuing coordinated relief and safety operations, with many areas stabilizing and entering recovery phases.

Flood impact by province:

Nan: Seven districts, 34 subdistricts, 223 villages affected; 21,050 households (66,097 people) impacted. Water overflowed roadways in some areas, blocking passage. Water levels are currently receding.

Sukhothai: Three districts, 19 subdistricts, 115 villages; 1,977 households (5,259 people) affected. Water levels are holding steady.

Phitsanulok: Chomphu subdistrict, Noen Maprang district; two villages with 29 households (91 people) affected. Nineteen households (34 people) were evacuated to Chomphu Temple. Water levels are stable.

Phetchabun: Tat Kloi subdistrict, Lom Kao district; two villages with 45 households (141 people) affected. Water levels are holding steady.

Sakon Nakhon: Sawang Daen Din district, two subdistricts, nine villages; 657 households (2,063 people) affected. Water levels are stable.

Ubon Ratchathani: Three districts (Khong Chiam, Khemarat, and Pho Thai), four subdistricts, 12 villages; 65 households (146 people) affected. Water levels are holding steady.

The department is coordinating with provincial, district, and local government authorities, volunteers, civil defense units, foundations, and related agencies to provide continuous assistance including evacuations, water drainage, and livelihood support. In stabilized areas, cleanup and recovery operations are underway to remove silt, debris, and blockages from structures, homes, roads, and public spaces so residents can return as soon as possible.