On July 9, 2026, Supamas Israphakdi, Minister Attached to the Office of the Prime Minister and chair of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), announced that the board's committee has voted to pursue civil proceedings against a contractor known as "Contractor One Hwan Jeeb" who accepted payment for home construction work and abandoned the projects. Twenty-five victims have filed complaints. The OCPB, working with police and the Dhamrong Center, has been assisting all affected parties. In the initial phase, two victims have received assistance. The first victim had already paid 746,500 baht out of a 935,000 baht contract (approximately 79 percent), and the board voted to sue for the remaining 525,800 baht for incomplete work. The second victim has a signed debt acknowledgment but the contractor failed to pay; the board voted to recover 70,000 baht plus legal interest. Victims will not need to hire lawyers or pay legal fees, as the OCPB will pursue the cases to completion.

Minister Supamas instructed the OCPB to expedite its review of complaints from other affected victims in this case and urged the public planning home construction to verify contractors' backgrounds before signing contracts, pay in installments according to completed work stages rather than in advance, and keep records of all money transfers. Those who are exploited can report to the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the website ocpb.go.th, or local Dhamrong Centers nationwide.

AYUTTHAYA — 9 July 2026, A convoy of elephants from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal has won widespread praise online after a video showed the animals patiently waiting at a red traffic light alongside motorists, offering a striking reminder of the importance of road safety.

The clip, recorded at the Chikun intersection in front of Wat Ratchapraditsathan in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, quickly spread across social media after being posted by Facebook user Aunlove Love.

The footage shows several elephants, each accompanied by a mahout, stopping calmly when the traffic signal turned red. The animals waited in line beside cars and motorcycles without crossing the intersection until the light turned green.

The post was accompanied by the message: "Never get tired of this. It's so adorable. Ayutthaya's elephants know the rules and obey traffic laws. If elephants can respect traffic regulations, so can we."

The poster, 45-year-old Worakit, known as "Aun," told reporters he witnesses the scene almost every day while commuting to and from work.

He said the elephant convoy, usually consisting of four elephants walking in small groups, regularly travels along the same route to carry out activities organised by the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal.

According to Worakit, whenever the traffic light at the Chikun intersection changes to yellow or red, every elephant stops immediately and waits until the signal turns green before continuing, strictly following traffic regulations.

"I've always been impressed by this sight," he said. "Sometimes you still see motorists running red lights, yet these elephants patiently wait. I wanted to share the video as a reminder that everyone should respect traffic rules."

The post has since attracted thousands of reactions, comments and shares, with many social media users praising both the elephants' discipline and the training provided by their mahouts.

Many commenters said the scene reflected an important lesson for society, noting that if even elephants can wait for a green light, motorists should be able to do the same.

While seemingly an ordinary moment on the road, the viral video has become a symbol of responsible road use, reminding the public that obeying traffic laws helps reduce accidents, prevent injuries and save lives.

As many online users commented, waiting just a few extra moments at a red light could make all the difference in ensuring everyone's safety.

Thai Airways is preparing to resume twice-daily service on the Bangkok-Paris route beginning December 1, 2024, expanding from the current single daily flight. The second flight on the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) route, flights TG932/933, will restart operations with the following schedule:

Bangkok-Paris TG930: Departs 12:05 a.m., arrives 6:50 a.m., daily TG932: Departs 12:15 p.m., arrives 7:00 p.m., daily

Paris-Bangkok TG931: Departs 12:30 p.m., arrives 5:40 a.m. (next day), daily TG933: Departs 9:30 p.m., arrives 3:00 p.m. (next day), daily

According to booking system data, flights TG930/931 will operate using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, while TG932/933 will use Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Luang Por Thongdee Aruno, also known as Phra Kru Suvannseesilpissut, was the former abbot of Wat Suraskid in Khao Khanthorn Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. A highly learned Buddhist scholar of considerable renown in Eastern Thailand, he was a devoted student of several illustrious teachers: Luang Pu Kong Suvanno of Wat Wang Sanbhores in Khlong District, Chanthaburi; Luang Pu Erm Promo of Wat Juk Kachor in Chonburi; and Luang Por Phiw Seelavissutho of Wat Songngan in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Originally from Sisaket Province, Luang Por Thongdee was born on June 12, 1933. He completed his primary education through grade four before traveling to Bangkok at age 14. Before his ordination, he worked as a rice porter in the Khlong Toei area, earning an average of 25 baht per month. He later moved to seek work in the Maablamphid community in Baan Bueng District, Chonburi.

In 1974, he undertook a brief 15-day ordination to resolve a karmic debt at Wat Prai Sanad in Pluak Daeng District, with Phra Kru Siripatanasopon (Luang Por Phiw) of Wat Songngan serving as his preceptor. He then became a student of Luang Pu Erm Promo at Wat Juk Kachor for approximately six months, studying Buddhist texts and earning certifications in Buddhist studies at three levels: bachelor, master, and doctorate.

He subsequently studied under Luang Pu Kong at Wat Wang Sanbhores and Luang Por Phiw at Wat Songngan, gaining expertise in various disciplines including sacred script and yantra writing, powder drawing, amulet consecration, ancient medicine, and forest herbalism.

Around 1993, he transferred to Wat Suraskid to assist the abbot in temple restoration efforts. Following the abbot's death, he assumed the position of abbot in 1995. Two years later, he successfully petitioned to establish proper monastic boundaries, elevating the temple's status from a branch monastery to an independent temple.

Wat Suraskid was originally built around 1968 to commemorate Chao Phraya Suraskid, a minister who had developed railways during King Rama V's reign, bringing prosperity to local communities. When the temple sought official naming through the Department of Religious Affairs, the word "minister" was removed from the name to avoid resemblance to royal nomenclature.

The temple occupies approximately 26 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, shaded by tall rubber trees with spreading branches. The serene and tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by landscaping with various plants, making it ideal for meditation and spiritual practice. The abbot and his disciples worked together to maintain the temple's peaceful appearance, planting trees and fostering an environment conducive to Buddhist practice.

Luang Por Thongdee employed his extensive knowledge as a skillful means to teach Buddhist morality and ethics to laypeople, guiding them to follow Buddhist teachings and understand the Dharma with ease. The amulets and sacred objects he created inspired great faith and confidence among his disciples.

Despite advancing in years, Luang Por Thongdee remained in good health and continued to develop the temple. He was regarded as an exemplary monk and a renowned Buddhist scholar of Chonburi Province. He passed away from natural causes on April 4, 2022, at the age of 88, with 48 years of monastic life.

His Eminence Tenzin Losel Rinpoche, a recognized reincarnate Tibetan lama, recently visited Wat Saket Rajavaramahavihara in Bangkok with a delegation of monks and Buddhist practitioners. The abbot and temple officials warmly welcomed the group and led them to pay respects to a statue of the late Supreme Patriarch, honoring his immense contributions to Buddhism and Thai society.

The lama's delegation conducted Vajrayana rituals and prayers to dedicate merit, extend compassion, and pray for the well-being of all people and the Thai nation during its recent period of mourning. They also expressed reverence before a statue of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, offering prayers for her memory.

Following the ceremonies, the group toured a replica of the Bamiyan cave, an important symbol of Buddhist heritage and civilization in Central Asia. The lama praised the preservation and public sharing of this significant Buddhist historical site.

The delegation then venerated an ancient Buddhist stupa, approximately 2,000 years old, housed within the replica cave. Tenzin Losel Rinpoche emphasized the enduring value of Buddhist teachings transmitted from ancient times to the present and prayed for Buddhism's continued stability and flourishing worldwide.

The group subsequently ascended to the Golden Mountain, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in Thailand, where they meditated and offered respectful prayers for peace, unity, and the prosperity of Buddhism for the benefit of all people.

This visit represents a significant opportunity to strengthen relations between Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhist monastic communities, reflecting the universal nature of Buddhism and the shared commitment to preserving and propagating the Buddha's teachings internationally. The atmosphere throughout the visit was characterized by spiritual grace and faith, demonstrating the unity of Buddhists from around the world who follow the Buddha's teachings as a path to creating peace and harmony in society.

Beyond the first medal of Luang Pho Koon created in 2512 (1969) while he resided at Wat Chaeng Nok in Nakhon Ratchasima, the 2517 (1974) commemorative medal was issued during his retreat at Wat Sra Gaew in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima, where he stayed between 2513-2527.

During his time there, Luang Pho Koon observed the monks' difficult circumstances—their small corrugated metal huts leaked badly during rainfall, and some structures were uninhabitable. He envisioned constructing a large two-story monastery to serve as a scripture hall, library, and monks' dormitory. He commissioned the 2517 medal and invited Buddhists to sponsor it for worship, allowing him to collect sufficient donations to complete the project, which has served the temple to the present day.

The medal features an oval shape with a half-length image of the monk facing forward. The obverse reads "Luang Pho Koon Parisuttho" at the top and "Wat Ban Rai, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima" at the bottom. The monk's robe bears the code "Prdt" within a circle, an abbreviation of "Parisuttho," his ordination name. The reverse displays a stupa in the center with inscribed text reading "Commemorative medal for the construction of Wat Sra Gaew monastery, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima." Below are two separating dots with the text "Special Edition, October 4, 2517."

Today this medal is rare to find.

Luang Pho Koon Parisuttho of Wat Ban Rai in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima, is one of the most deeply revered Buddhist monks in Thailand. He is distinctive for his austere lifestyle, simple speech, and ascetic practice, becoming an iconic image in the public consciousness.

Born on Thursday, October 4, 2466 (1923) into the Chattraphol Krang family at Ban Rai, Kud Phiman Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima, to parents Bun and Thong Khao Chattraphol Krang, he had two siblings. The family was poor and lived far from civilization, working as rice farmers.

In his youth, he lost both parents while still a child, and he and his siblings were cared for by an aunt. From ages 6-7, he studied Thai and Khmer languages under monks, while also receiving instruction in meditation practices to avoid dangers.

At age 21, he was ordained on Friday, May 5, 2487 (1944) at Pathumseema Wat Thanon Hak Yai, Kud Phiman Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thod District, Nakhon Ratchasima, taking the ordained name Parisuttho.

He became a student of Luang Pho Daeng at Wat Ban Nong Bodhi, Samnak Takroa Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District. Luang Pho Daeng was a dedicated meditation master in both structured and insight meditation practices, revered by disciples and followers. After serving him for some time, Luang Pho Daeng introduced him as a student to Luang Pho Kong Phuthasaro. These two senior monks respected each other as dharma companions and regularly exchanged teachings.

When Luang Pho Kong observed that his student had developed considerable knowledge and meditation skill, he encouraged him to undertake forest wandering and intensive practice in remote areas. After determining the appropriate time, he returned to Thailand, crossing from Surin Province into Nakhon Ratchasima, and returned to his birthplace.

He then began constructing Wat Ban Rai, building an ordination hall, monk quarters, scripture hall, and a water reservoir for daily use. Importantly, he also established a school for local children.

He became a developing monk who earned extraordinary faith from laypeople, who made substantial donations to support his work.