Thai Defense Minister General Anutin Charnvirakul said on July 24, 2025, that his meeting with China's Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun was a formal state visit following discussions with President Xi Jinping. He highlighted that the Chinese minister stressed the importance of informal dialogue and emphasized that China must remain neutral because both Thailand and Cambodia are valued friends. The Chinese minister described the comprehensive strategic partnership as having both public and private dimensions.

General Anutin noted that China had previously wanted to visit Thailand but faced urgent commitments. He stated that China possesses advanced military equipment comparable to any nation and can provide various forms of assistance. However, according to the 2016 treaty and agreements, China delays delivery and does not supply weapons during armed conflict—a demonstration of strategic partnership and respect for Thailand.

The minister said China has proposed cooperation beyond military equipment, including education, technology, and artificial intelligence initiatives. When asked whether China would mediate between Thailand and Cambodia, General Anutin clarified that the Chinese minister did not offer mediation but rather emphasized that both countries are China's friends and that China provides equipment according to existing treaties until the Thai-Cambodian border situation improves.

China seeks to elevate military relations with Thailand and has invited the Thai defense minister to forums and an official visit to China, both of which he has accepted. Regarding weapons including corvette ships, General Anutin confirmed that China provides both, noting that as a superpower, China can supply anything but chooses not to, or delays delivery. He suggested the public compare Chinese equipment provided to Cambodia with Thailand's own capabilities, while remaining uncertain about ammunition supplies.

On July 24, 2569, at the Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister General Adul Bunyatharnchaij held a press conference to clarify controversy surrounding his earlier interview, in which he avoided using the word "hunt" regarding the gunman who killed five rangers in Narathiwat province. He expressed genuine sorrow over the incident, stating that nothing pains a soldier, officer, and commander more than losing subordinates in combat. "My green heart has remained unchanged throughout my life," he said. "Even though my role is now Defense Minister, I affirm that my subordinates must not die in vain. I have instructed the Fourth Army Region commander to apprehend the perpetrator. I have done this throughout my life—subordinates do not die without consequence. However, my position and role require that if I speak more forcefully, it escalates the situation and adds fuel to the fire. But when it is necessary to express what is in my heart, I must speak. Nothing hurts more than being accused of not caring for my subordinates, and I regret that my words were not fully understood." He denied being angry and said there is no conflict with the Army Commander, with whom he coordinated before the commander visited the area. He apologized for the communication gap. "I do not have a polished rhetoric. When media asks me, I answer without considering the impact would be this severe. It pains me when people say that as a soldier I was one way, but changed when I entered politics. I am not deluded or proud. I am not attached to anything. If you go to the Northeast, you can ask people there—this is the kind of person I am," Adul said. During this interview, the Defense Minister displayed a tense demeanor and tears welled up in his eyes.

Deputy Education Minister Akkaranat Kankakit presided over the opening of the 25th National Science and Mathematics in Schools Academic Conference (STEM 25) on July 24, 2569, at Rajabhat Rajchanakit University in Chachoengsao Province. The conference theme, "Green STEM Education for Global Sustainability: Integration and Innovation," reflects a shift in Thai education toward embedding environmental problem-solving into science and math instruction.

Akkaranat emphasized that Green STEM goes beyond a mere theme—it represents a fundamental approach to integrating real-world environmental challenges into teaching to build life skills rather than focusing solely on test scores. He highlighted that AI technology should be viewed not as a threat but as a tool enabling teachers to design more precise and effective personalized learning experiences.

The ministry is backing this initiative through three key policies: reducing administrative burdens to free up classroom time for teachers, sustaining teacher development through Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and elevating science and math education to international standards to improve Thai students' PISA assessment scores.

"I wish to honor the role of every teacher, because every hour in the classroom and every question that inspires children to think critically is the most worthwhile investment in the nation's future," Akkaranat stated. "Teachers are the foundation for developing scientists, engineers, and innovators who will lead Thailand toward sustainability."

The deputy minister presented "Model Teacher" awards to nine educators and toured exhibitions showcasing student and graduate work, including innovations in coding and AI, e-waste metal extraction research, and electric vehicle conversion technology for used trucks. Director Theeradej Chearsukchumroon of the Institute for Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) noted the conference serves as a collaborative platform for educators to exchange knowledge, present research, and develop science, mathematics, and technology innovations together.

Vision problems in children are a concern parents should not overlook, as many children may struggle to articulate that they see blurrily, have blurry vision, or experience eye fatigue. Starting glasses is not determined by age alone, but rather by eye examination results, visual behavior, and recommendations from eye care specialists.

During childhood when the visual system is still developing, glasses can play a crucial role in vision, learning, and overall child development (AAPOS).

Signs that a child may need an eye exam

Certain behaviors may indicate your child is having vision problems, including squinting while reading or looking at boards, sitting unusually close to the TV, tilting the head while looking, frequent eye rubbing, complaining of headaches after reading, or reluctance to do vision-dependent activities. If you observe these signs, take your child for a thorough eye examination to assess whether they have myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, strabismus, or amblyopia.

A common parental concern: "Will wearing glasses early make my child's eyesight worse?"

The answer is not necessarily. Wearing properly prescribed glasses does not worsen a child's vision; rather, it provides clear vision, reduces eye strain, and in some cases supports normal visual development. If a child receives glasses but fails to wear them as recommended, it may affect vision quality, especially in young children whose visual system is still developing (AAPOS).

Generally, children should start wearing glasses once an eye examination confirms that their refractive error or visual condition requires correction—whether at age two, five, or school age. What matters is choosing a lightweight, durable frame that fits well without pressing on the nose or ears, with lenses suited to the child's activities, such as impact-resistant lenses or anti-reflective lenses for children who use screens frequently.

Summary

For parents seeking quality glasses for their child, selecting frames from a standards-compliant store with eye care professionals is important. Opticland prioritizes eye measurement, lens selection, and frame fitting to ensure children wear comfortably, see clearly, and are ready to learn every day.

Early observation of your child and taking them for an eye exam when abnormalities appear are the foundation of good eye care. Appropriate glasses are not merely a vision aid; they enable children to live, learn, play, and grow with greater confidence.

The Bank of Thailand has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to enhance cooperation on cybersecurity safeguards and digital financial fraud prevention. Bank of Thailand Governor Vithaya Rattanakorn stated that the MoU underscores the importance of regulatory collaboration amid an increasingly interconnected global financial ecosystem, where cyber risks and digital financial crime threats are growing more sophisticated and challenging. Both central banks will collaborate on exchanging information, knowledge, and regulatory practices; monitoring emerging threats; developing personnel capabilities; and strengthening their ability to prevent and respond to these risks effectively and promptly.

Rattanakorn noted that as interconnected financial systems and rapid technological advances create conditions for more complex and severe cyber and digital fraud threats, the cooperation between the Bank of Thailand and Singapore's central bank will enhance both countries' readiness to combat these new threats efficiently and reflects a shared commitment to building a stable, secure financial ecosystem prepared for change.

Singapore's Monetary Authority Governor Chia Der Jiun stated that cyber threats and digital financial fraud are intensifying with cross-border impacts. Strengthening cooperation between regulators with shared goals of maintaining security and confidence in digital financial systems will enable timely information sharing and build collective capacity to prevent and respond to threats effectively.

The book "Buddhist Lay Practitioner's Guide to Chanting and Dharma Teaching: A Path to Peace" is a comprehensive prayer manual with full Thai translations of all chants, designed for Buddhist devotees of all levels including monks, novices, laypeople, and the general public. By understanding the Pali and Buddhist principles through the translations, practitioners can develop deeper concentration and wisdom during practice. As recommended by Dhammatan Foundation at Mokkhaplarama Forest Monastery, "When chanting, contemplate the meaning of each verse. The translations help generate both joy and meditative concentration, leading to wisdom." The article also reviews two other recent Buddhist books: "Chanting Rituals with Translations" (40 baht) by Phra Rajvajjarangsee, a popular manual with well-organized chanting sequences for auspicious and inauspicious occasions, and "A Guide to Ancient Lanna Art" by Professor Sakshai Saisingham, which explores the rich artistic and cultural heritage of eight northern Thai provinces including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampoon, and Lampang.