On July 15, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peerasak Lertrakarnon, head of the Department of Family Medicine at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, explained that age-related body odor has a scientific basis but does not affect all elderly people and is not solely the result of poor hygiene.

**What Causes Age-Related Body Odor?**

As people age, the body undergoes multiple changes, including alterations in skin function, hormones, skin cell turnover, and the composition of skin lipids. Research has found that older adults begin to accumulate a substance called 2-Nonenal (documented since 2001), which results from the oxidative breakdown of fatty acids on the skin. This compound produces a distinctive smell often described as resembling dried grass, old paper, or a musty odor—the origin of the term "age-related odor." It typically appears from around age 40 onward and may become more pronounced in advanced age.

**Do All Elderly People Have Age-Related Odor?**

No. While age is a factor, the intensity of odor varies among individuals and depends on multiple factors including genetics, overall health, personal hygiene habits, water intake, diet, exercise, medication use, and chronic diseases. Many elderly people do not experience abnormal body odor at all.

**Some Diseases Can Also Change Body Odor**

If body odor changes rapidly or an unusual smell appears alongside other symptoms, it may signal a condition requiring medical attention, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, infection, chronic wounds, or oral health problems. Anyone suspecting abnormal changes should consult a doctor.

**Bathing Alone May Not Be Enough**

Managing age-related odor requires a comprehensive approach including daily bathing and body cleaning, thorough drying especially in skin folds, regular clothing changes, frequent laundering of towels and bedding, adequate water intake, balanced nutrition, appropriate exercise, management of chronic diseases, and regular health checkups. Family members should assist elderly relatives who have limited self-care ability with bathing, clothing changes, and bedding cleaning on a regular basis.

**Avoid Saying "You Smell"**

Many elderly people may not realize their body odor has changed because their sense of smell declines with age. Direct comments like "you stink" or "why haven't you bathed" can cause embarrassment, loss of confidence, and feelings of being a burden to the family.

**What Should You Say Instead?**

Dr. Peerasak recommends using care and concern as the foundation for communication, such as: - "It's hot these days. Let me help prepare a bath for you." - "Let's change into fresh clothes so you'll feel more comfortable." - "I've washed your blankets and pillowcases. You'll sleep well tonight."

If you suspect odor may be disease-related, invite your loved one to see a doctor for health reasons rather than mentioning the odor directly. Age-related body odor is not shameful and not something elderly people choose to experience. Sometimes what seniors need most is not perfume or deodorant, but understanding, attention, and gentle care from their family members.

PHUKET: A road crash in Thalang that left a 16-year-old motorcyclist injured has sparked heated debate online after a video of the incident appeared to show a car colliding with the teenager while changing lanes.

A severe storm struck a Thai border patrol police base in Ban Tua Kum village, Mueang district, Trat province, on July 12-13, toppling more than 10 large trees and causing extensive damage to the facility. Trees over 10 meters tall crashed onto the base, destroying a residential building, laboratory, bathroom, and damaging the roof, solar panels, drone netting, and flagpole. Nearby durian orchards also sustained significant damage. When the storm intensified, personnel took shelter in bunkers to safety, and fortunately no one was injured.

Following the incident, residents initially attempted to clear debris with chainsaws, but requested assistance from the Tua Kum subdistrict office to deploy machinery for large-scale tree removal. Trat City Municipality Mayor Surasak Phuttipat has been overseeing city repairs and safety improvements, with municipal workers clearing sidewalks, roads, and public areas. The municipality is also surveying and dredging waterlogged areas and drainage channels to prevent flooding and reduce disruption to residents, particularly after the heavy rainfall and strong winds of the past two days.

On July 1, 2026 at 5:48 p.m., His Majesty appointed General Oranong Piyanatvachirpat to represent him in conducting a golden Buddha casting ceremony and opening the "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok's Bang Kok Yai district.

The royal delegate presented commemorative gifts to 60 donors supporting the temple, distributed royal gifts to 10 local residents, and presented school bags to 50 student representatives from schools in Bang Kok Yai district out of 200 total recipients. The delegate then visited the monument of King Rama I to lay flowers and light incense in tribute, making merit offerings and expressing the Thai people's loyalty to the late king.

The "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" program is designed to conserve, restore, and promote the value of Thailand's UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites while building knowledge and awareness of heritage preservation. The program has expanded from Ayutthaya province to establish a learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok, serving as a hub for learning about Thailand's cultural world heritage. The exhibition presents information on the significance, history, conservation, and management of all five of Thailand's cultural heritage sites using modern display formats.

Rev. Chomphon Nitisao, assistant abbot of Wat Arunrajvararam, revealed that the learning center features four zones. Zone 1 explains what world heritage is, its types, criteria for consideration, and the world heritage map of Asia. Zone 2 displays a chronology of Buddhism, Thailand's world heritage sites, and the tentative list alongside important Asian heritage sites, featuring Thailand's five cultural world heritage locations (Ban Chiang, Phimai, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya) and a timeline of Asian Buddhist heritage. Zone 3 highlights Wat Arunrajvararam's prang and its outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity compared to similar world heritage sites. Zone 4 covers world heritage and dharma heritage management practices by the sangha, including Buddhist learning activities in heritage areas such as Ayutthaya and other temples.

PHUKET: A fire at an abandoned building in Chalong last night (July 14) was brought under control within about 30 minutes, with police later seizing two motorcycles found near the scene as part of their investigation.

Luang Por Daeng Ratpo, formally known as Phra Kru Yanavilash, was a highly respected ascetic at Wat Khao Bandai It in Muang District, Phetchaburi. Born into the Angsang family on the second lunar day of the eleventh month in 1879, he spent his childhood helping his parents farm and had no opportunity for formal schooling. When he came of age, his parents arranged for him to study under Phra Ajarn Plian at Wat Khao Bandai It. At age 22, he was ordained in a ceremony conducted by Phra Kru Yanavissuthi of Wat Kaen Lek. He received the monastic name Ratpo and devoted himself to studying Buddhist scriptures and maintaining strict discipline. Phra Ajarn Plian taught him meditation techniques and spiritual knowledge without reservation, leading him to become an accomplished practitioner of the highest seniority.

When Phra Ajarn Plian passed away, Luang Por Daeng became the abbot of Wat Khao Bandai It starting in 1918. Despite his administrative duties, he continued his daily meditation practice and never boasted of his spiritual attainments. However, his sacred talismans and amulets demonstrated remarkable protective power.

During the 1934–1937 period, a severe livestock epidemic struck Phetchaburi, killing many cattle and buffalo. Villagers sought Luang Por Daeng's help, and he blessed sacred cloth squares inscribed with yantras, which families tied to their animal pens. Remarkably, animals in pens protected with his yantra remained unharmed while others perished.

When World War II bombing devastated Phetchaburi, destroying railways, bridges, homes, and closing schools and government offices, villagers who possessed his blessed cloth or amulets reportedly remained safe and unharmed. On December 5, 1959, he was granted ecclesiastical promotion to Phra Kru Sannyabat with the royal title Phra Kru Yanavilash. He was known for his kindness, gentle temperament, and refusal to speak harshly to anyone, particularly forbidding crude language about parents. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 1960, at age 96 after 74 years of monastic life.

Luang Por Daeng created many sacred objects and amulets that became widely sought after. After his first series of amulets gained popularity, another highly successful edition emerged: the Military Commander series amulet, created in 1968 on his ninetieth birthday at the request of General Samran Petcharakul, then commander of the First Region. The Royal Mint designed and produced 48,000 copper amulets, along with silver, gold, and alpaca versions. Measuring approximately 2.7 centimeters wide and 3.7 centimeters tall, the amulet features a half-length portrait facing forward with the word 'commemoration' inscribed above and text on a ribbon below.