On July 30, 2025, a reporter visited Wat Luang Pho Pak Daeng in Nakhon Nayok province during the Buddhist Lent festival and found large numbers of devoted visitors coming to pay homage to the sacred Luang Pho Pak Daeng Buddha image, respected by local residents and visitors from other provinces.

Visitors made offerings of Lent candles, paid respects to the revered Buddha image, and sought blessings for good fortune, business success, and career advancement. They made merit by presenting traditional offerings including banana flowers, betel nut, garlands, and ritual water to resolve past misdeeds and fulfill their wishes. Devotees also passed under an elephant and paid respects to Thao Wetsuwon Buddha image, made merit by releasing fish, and honored an ancient boat.

Lottery enthusiasts consulted an auspicious sacred pool where temple officials had displayed numbers believed to be lucky, including 9, 3, 2, 1, and 4, ahead of the upcoming lottery draw.

Wat Phramani, another ancient temple over 100 years old, also houses the sacred Luang Pho Pak Daeng Buddha image greatly revered by Buddhists. The abbot, Phra Thep Wat Prom Khun (Luang Pho Dung Wachasi), a provincial sangha official, encouraged all visitors to pursue goodness and merit-making, noting that accumulated virtue will ultimately reward those who cultivate it.

On July 30, Prakob Mangkung, director of the Yasothon Highways Office, led staff to inspect the traffic safety improvement project on Highway 23 in Lumpuk subdistrict, which carries a budget of 44.2 million baht and is overseen by the Yasothon Highway Department.

The project had previously received a warning from the highways office for delays but failed to meet its original 180-day contract deadline, which ended June 1. Department director Sophaporn Laongsorm explained that the contract was extended another two weeks to June 14, with the contractor citing Middle East conflict-related fuel shortages. The highways department confirmed it approved the extension following proper legal procedures.

Despite the extension, work remains at only 90 percent completion, with median construction, pavement widening, and lighting work still pending. As a result, the Yasothon Highway Department imposed daily penalties starting June 15 at 110,558 baht per day, accumulating to approximately 3.5 million baht. The Yasothon Highways Office warned that when projects face daily penalties in the hundreds of thousands of baht, contractors often rush work, risking engineering shortcuts or substandard materials.

To protect state interests, the highways office has instructed the department to enforce strict quality control. Inspection committees and supervisors must verify material thickness, density, and standards on the remaining 10 percent of work, with no compromise on substandard work.

A Facebook page sharing video footage described a violent encounter in which a teenager broke into a neighbor's home at night to help a friend, only to be stabbed in the face and nearly blinded. The incident occurred on July 11 at a house on Bang Si Muang Soi 19 in Nonthaburi at 10 p.m. The 20-year-old suspect, Panaphut, filed a report at Bang Si Muang Police Station and returned again on July 30 to provide details.

According to Panaphut's account, the conflict began when he and his neighbor Kaem had a minor exchange. When Kaem returned with a machete and attempted to harm Panaphut's father, Panaphut stabbed him in self-defense, resulting in injuries to both. Though Panaphut initially wanted to end the matter—even visiting Kaem to apologize without filing charges—tensions flared again on July 29 when Kaem and others came to his home shouting and shaking the gate, all wearing full helmets.

When interviewed at his home, Kaem claimed the original conflict stemmed from a previous theft and that Panaphut's friend had entered his house first, prompting him to retrieve a weapon to help. He stated he could not recall details from the initial fight but remembered being struck near the eye and stabbed, leaving him at risk of blindness. After the July 11 incident, Panaphut visited Kaem at a rented room to apologize without filing a complaint, hoping to resolve the matter. However, his friend allegedly returned to Kaem's home without his knowledge, leading to Kaem filing trespassing charges against Panaphut instead.

Thai boxing star Rodtang Jitmuangnon posted a clarification statement after settling disputes with ONE Championship and returning to sign a new contract with the organization. He confirmed that no ONE employee forged his signature and pledged to make a comeback as the best version of himself.

Rodtang and ONE Championship had clashed over his claims that someone had forged his signature, prompting ONE to file legal action in three countries. In Thailand, the company pursued a defamation case demanding 542 million baht in damages. The dispute has now been resolved, and the 29-year-old fighter has re-signed to return to ONE's stage.

In his Facebook post, Rodtang addressed the controversy once more, mentioning a group of people who entered his life with ill intent and distanced himself from them. He clarified that ONE had consistently paid him above the contractual amount and that no one in the organization had forged his signature. He apologized to Timo Ruge, ONE's head of combat sports, for any misunderstanding.

Rodtang expressed sincere regret for any damage caused to ONE, especially over recent months, stating that winning the world championship again would be the best proof of his sincerity. He vowed to bring honor and pride back to Thailand and the Jitmuangnon camp, promising the world would see him at his strongest. "The Iron Man is back," he concluded.

SJM Resort, the title sponsor of the SJM Macau Open golf tournament for the fourth consecutive year, is offering golf fans exclusive premium packages to experience the event from October 15-18. To enhance the viewing and participation experience, SJM has prepared two levels of luxury hotel packages providing guests with elevated experiences, whether competing in pro-am rounds with world-class professional golfers or watching from a VIP lounge with stunning golf course views and memorable experiences at the private Lisboa Lounge. Bookings are open now through October 5, 2025, with limited availability.

Pro-Am Experience Package Check-in dates: October 13-18, 2025 Price: Starting at 5,700++ Macanese patacas for a 2-night stay Package includes: • Luxury accommodation at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU, or Palazzo Versace Macau • Breakfast for two guests • Access to an official welcome dinner for two • Participation in one pro-am round (one guest) with spectator privileges • Facility access at Macau Golf & Country Club for two during the pro-am • Tournament admission with VIP lounge access at Lisboa Lounge for two • Shuttle service between the golf club and Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau

Lisboa Lounge Experience Package Check-in dates: October 14-18, 2025 Price: Starting at 4,988++ Macanese patacas for a 2-night stay Package includes: • Luxury accommodation at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU, or Palazzo Versace Macau • Breakfast for two guests • Tournament admission with VIP lounge access at Lisboa Lounge for two • Shuttle service between the golf club and hotel

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For bookings or inquiries, contact +853 8881 8000 or visit https://www.grandlisboapalace.com/en/offers/sjm-macao-open-2026-package.

Sompo Insurance Thailand mourns the passing of Baworthat Pengsuk, known as Hulun Solo, and offers deepest condolences to his family. Following notification of his death, the company immediately coordinated with the Insurance Commission and internal departments. The firm is actively reaching out to his family and loved ones to provide support and assistance, while coordinating with partners in Georgia to arrange his body's repatriation to Thailand at the company's full expense, as a mark of respect for their valued business partner. Other insurance coverage claims under his policy remain under fact-checking review by relevant authorities and will be processed according to policy terms and conditions. The company has not yet concluded its assessment and will continue monitoring progress closely.