The Bureau of the Royal Household invites members of the public to sign their names expressing their best wishes to His Majesty the King online, on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 74th birt...
The Bureau of the Royal Household invites members of the public to sign their names expressing their best wishes to His Majesty the King online, on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 74th birt...
PHUKET: A South African tourist was arrested at Phuket International Airport after security officers discovered six rounds of ammunition and a magazine in his luggage before departure.
PHUKET: A South African tourist was arrested at Phuket International Airport after security officers discovered six rounds of ammunition and a magazine in his luggage before departure.
A Buddhist institute founded by ordained monks at Bodhgaya in India has formally established the Bodhikhaya Fellowship as a "Dhamma Army" to promote and protect Buddhism internationally through coordinated action by its network of members.
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.
The government said most people understand the welfare card screening process and pledged to review criteria to better target aid to the poorest citizens. Officials plan to extend card validity periods and broaden appeals while designing em
Deputy Government Spokesman Ploythale Laksameesang announced July 27 that the government appreciates public understanding of the state welfare card screening system. A Nida Poll survey by the National Institute of Development Administration found that 43.26% of respondents were not upset about failing to qualify for the program.
The government stands ready to review the welfare card screening criteria to ensure aid reaches low-income and genuinely poor citizens with accuracy. The administration will extend usage periods for existing cardholders and broaden appeal procedures. Officials asked the public not to worry, as the government listens to public feedback and wants to carefully verify data before implementing new standards. The welfare card program has not opened for new registrations in approximately five years, leaving many eligible people without assistance.
Laksameesang emphasized that the updated welfare card database is more detailed, allowing the government to clearly segment cardholders by age group. Of over 9 million cardholders, more than 5 million are aged 18–60 and mostly lack assets or income. The government plans to use this data to design targeted assistance policies, particularly upskilling and reskilling programs to boost employment prospects and improve quality of life for working-age cardholders, rather than relying solely on welfare benefits.
Thailand's first state-sponsored autonomous university, Suranaree Tech, celebrates 36 years of innovation with nearly 50,000 graduates and ranking among the nation's top 10 institutions globally.
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: Four cannabis shops in Phuket Old Town are facing licence revocation after officials found multiple alleged breaches of cannabis regulations during a joint inspection on Friday (July 24).
PHUKET: Four cannabis shops in Phuket Old Town are facing licence revocation after officials found multiple alleged breaches of cannabis regulations during a joint inspection on Friday (July 24).
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).
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).
Thai-Japanese Bank launched a Growth Navigator program connecting over 250 food and consumer goods SMEs with ecosystem partners to address challenges like high costs, limited technology adoption, and lack of long-term planning strategies.
Thai-Japanese Bank (TTB) has elevated its role to 'Growth Navigator' by hosting the SME Growth Navigator powered by ttb LEAN: Networking Day for entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors. The event attracted over 250 SME companies and partnered with 13 public and private sector organizations to share business knowledge, real-world experience, and build collaborative networks aimed at helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.
Pierpong Nithikaiwut, head of TTB's business customer strategy group, said Thai SME operators face multifaceted challenges including economic slowdown, shifting consumer spending, elevated operational costs, and intensifying competition. He noted that today's SME challenge extends beyond survival to requiring adaptive strategies for long-term growth. TTB's data reveals many entrepreneurs struggle with critical growth obstacles such as prioritizing short-term problem-solving over long-term planning, limited technology and AI adoption, weak strategic risk management, misaligned sales growth with operational efficiency, and lack of clear business direction.
"TTB believes banks today must be business partners, not just financial providers," Pierpong said. "We're stepping into the 'Growth Navigator' role to comprehensively support Thai SMEs through capital, digital tools, knowledge, and business networks." The event featured expert speakers including a keynote on second-half economic outlook and SME growth strategies, plus networking sessions, business showcases, and one-on-one matching opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with ecosystem partners and explore collaboration opportunities.
Bangkok student Patchranutt Yanyongkasiri won 13 gold medals across 23 categories at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Las Vegas, earning private meetings with international entertainment industry experts. Her K-pop group 24K al
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.
Gold prices remain uncertain as central banks from three major economies meet this week, with a majority of Thai investors expecting domestic prices to weaken amid volatility driven by Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan dec
A Gold Research Center survey from July 27-31 revealed divided expert opinion on gold prices: 38% expect stability, 31% predict a rise, and 31% anticipate a fall. Among 338 investor respondents, 56% expect domestic gold prices to weaken next week as markets await decisions from the Federal Reserve (July 28-29), Bank of England (July 30), and Bank of Japan (July 30-31), along with key US economic reports. Domestic gold bars (96.5% purity) closed the previous week at 64,850 baht per baht-weight, up 800 baht from the week before. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates at 3.50–3.75%, the BOE at 3.75%, and the BOJ at 1.00%. Leng Ngam Commodities projects global gold trading between $3,950–$4,160 per ounce.
Police raided a Bangkok pub early July 27 and found 45 underage patrons, including 16 under age 18, with eight people testing positive for drugs. The venue operator was arrested and faces charges including selling alcohol to minors and chil
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.