On August 7, 2026, Education Minister Prasert Chantharangthong visited Thepsirin School in the Banggaew area of Nonthaburi province, where a student opened fire, killing seven people and injuring several teachers and students. The minister expressed deep condolences for the loss of education personnel and said the Education Ministry is monitoring the situation and awaiting autopsy results and forensic evidence from police.

Prasert revealed he has spoken with school administrators and prioritized psychological care and counseling for affected teachers and students, coordinating with Chulalongkorn University's psychology department for support. He ordered relevant agencies, particularly the Office of Basic Education, to provide comprehensive assistance to all affected individuals without conditions.

Regarding emergency measures, Prasert stated that while student safety has always been a priority, this incident—where a weapon was smuggled in through a student's bag—requires elevated security protocols. He noted that bag inspections for weapons have never been conducted before but must now be implemented seriously. The Education Ministry will hold meetings with school directors nationwide and order regional education officials to enforce stricter safety measures and monitor affected students and staff effective immediately.

On victim compensation, the ministry will cover funeral expenses and consider special promotions for deceased teachers. Emergency financial assistance of 20,000 baht per death and 5,000 baht per injury will be provided, supplemented by the ministry's welfare fund. The government will be consulted for additional support to affected families. Police investigations into the motive are ongoing.

The National Housing Authority (NHA), led by Director Thaveepong Wichaidisth, has unveiled its comprehensive housing development strategy for Chachoengsao Province, comprising 46 projects with 25,633 units total. These include 43 sales projects (22,554 units) and 3 rental projects (3,079 units), strategically located near industrial estates, employment hubs, and transportation networks including Bang Phli, Bang Pho, Laem Chabang, and Map Ta Phut.

Thaveepong stated that Chachoengsao is a strategically vital area for the Eastern Economic Corridor, experiencing sustained industrial expansion, investment, and job creation. This has driven increased housing demand, prompting the NHA to develop both sales and rental projects to support workers and residents while reducing living and commuting costs.

Most recently, the NHA opened the first phase of an affordable rental housing project in Laem Chabang, Chachoengsao, located on Sukhumvit Road in Bang Lamung District. The five-story building contains 544 units, each measuring 28 square meters with one bedroom, one multipurpose room, and one bathroom. Monthly rental rates start at 2,000-2,400 baht.

The location offers excellent accessibility to three industrial estates—Laem Chabang, Pinthong (Laem Chabang), and Laem Chabang Port—plus schools, hospitals, police stations, and shopping centers. Tenants pay actual water and electricity consumption rates. Of the 544 units, 265 have been rented (over 50%), primarily to Thai workers employed in nearby industrial zones on annual lease agreements. The NHA plans to develop phase 2 on adjacent available land.

At 3:40 p.m. on August 7, 2026, a shooting incident occurred at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi Province resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries. Prime Minister Anutin Chaiyawasin and Interior Minister traveled to the scene, accompanied by Deputy PM Yotchanan Wongsawasdee and ministers from Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Education; Public Health; Social Development and Human Security; as well as Deputy Interior Minister Palpir Suwannachuay and Police Chief General Kittiphat Panbut.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister received an initial briefing from Education Minister Presert, then proceeded to a conference room for a full situation summary and additional reports. The PM discussed the incident with the Police Chief and inquired about the cause of the shooting.

Police announced on August 7, 2026, at Phaholyothin Police Station that they have filed charges against the owner of a beer hall in Ladprao with five serious counts, including operating an unlicensed establishment, with evidence showing tables blocked emergency exits and fire escape doors were locked in violation of fire safety laws.

Deputy Police Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Kiatikul Sandikul revealed that investigators conducted interviews with 211 witnesses, including experts and forensic officers, and concluded that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring that shorted and ignited acoustic foam insulation. The owner, 45-year-old Suwichai Sailbat, faces charges of reckless arson (up to 7 years imprisonment and 140,000 baht fine), recklessness causing death (up to 10 years and 200,000 baht), recklessness causing severe injury (up to 3 years and 60,000 baht), recklessness causing bodily or mental harm (up to 1 month and 10,000 baht), property damage, and operating without proper authorization.

The investigation found that the fire started from electrical short-circuiting due to improper wiring modifications. The layout of the establishment was unsafe, with numerous tables and emergency exits blocked or locked in violation of fire safety regulations. Staff and customer interviews confirmed negligence on the part of the owner. Seven case files have been submitted to prosecutors for consideration.

The book '10 Zen Tales and 10 Zen Riddles' is authored by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa and published by Sukhaphap Jai Publishing House for 115 baht. Sometimes the deepest teachings appear in the simplest stories. Zen Buddhism employs a unique teaching technique called "pointing directly at the mind," which directs instruction straight to the heart, enabling listeners to experience sudden realization or a rapid flash of insight and attain the Dharma instantly. Zen tales represent one of the widespread and popular teaching methods in contemporary Zen Buddhism. This book is the fourth discourse in the ethics guidance series, originally titled "Spiritual Entertainment for Ethics," which Ajahn Buddhadasa delivered to teachers at the Teachers' Council Auditorium on January 14, 1962. It was later published in Dhammakosanat volume 18 under the title "Buddhist Ethics." The current volume comprises 10 Zen tales accompanying the lectures, some of which may be familiar, such as the tale of overflowing tea. Ajahn Buddhadasa emphasizes that Dharma tales are essential as educational tools for teaching ethics to children and youth, as they make learning enjoyable and engaging while allowing young people to absorb the teachings naturally. Beyond the 10 Zen tales, the book also contains 10 Zen riddles with verses composed by Ajahn Buddhadasa based on Zen images from the Mokkhabhavan Spiritual Theater to help readers understand these riddles more easily. The Zen riddles include themes such as "The Sound of the Bamboo Flute Returns to the Bamboo Thicket," "Bowing to the Buddha Image," and "The Earthworm Writes a Letter to Humans," which invite readers to consider truths beyond their habitual thought patterns. All stories in the book are short, concise, and easy to read, yet they leave space for readers to discover meaning independently, which is the essence of Zen learning. It is hoped that this book will be suitable for teachers, students, and all those interested in Zen who wish to apply its teachings to their daily lives.

Maha Sarakham Municipality, working with the Maha Sarakham Provincial Culture Office, organized the Bun Sao Ha festival (the Seventh Lunar Month Festival) at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop chapel in the municipality area of Maha Sarakham Province from June 8-10, 2569 (2026). The event drew large crowds of government officials, merchants, students, and residents.

For the 2569 celebration, Maha Sarakham Municipality commissioned the creation of sacred commemorative coins titled "Buddha Coins, Vitarka Mudra Edition—Precepts and Virtue Series."

The coins were created to commemorate the Bun Sao Ha festival and to generate donations supporting the Maha Sarakham Long Drum Association, local cultural events, and educational scholarships for high-achieving students.

The coins are rectangular in shape. The front features the Buddha standing in the Vitarka Mudra pose—also called the teaching or preaching stance—with both hands raised to chest level and fingers forming a circle. Two disciples stand on either side with palms joined in respect. The back features a sacred inscription reading "In commemoration of Bun Sao Ha, continuing the destiny of Maha Sarakham Municipality, B.E. 2567."

Production numbers are limited and include the following materials: gold (custom orders), 20 Maha Sethee sets; 9 silver coins; 100 alpaca metal coins; 100 new metal coins; 500 gold-plated bowl coins; 700 fire-finish copper coins; 100 bronze coins; and 400 lead coins for distribution.

The Buddhist consecration ceremony took place at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop on June 10, 2569 (2026), attended by respected Buddhist monks held in high regard by local devotees, including Luang Ta Gaap (Wat Ban Uparat) and Luang Pho Monunchay (Wat Pa Sattadham), among others.

Venerable Dhammavichira, Special Advisor to Region 9's Buddhist hierarchy, lit the ceremonial candles to begin the rite. Luang Pho Monunchay extinguished the candles, officially concluding the ceremony.

Following the consecration, all the sacred coins were presented to Venerable Thepvichiranyansunthon (Luang Ajarn Suriyan Kothaparnya of Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen, Maha Sarakham Province) and Venerable Thepvachiravidyakum (Luang Ajarn Tom Apassaro of Wat Tha Saebng, Roi Et Province) for individual mental consecration rites.

Given the virtuous intention behind the creation of these coins, the presiding monks approached the consecration with sincere determination, instilling confidence in the spiritual power of the coins. Those interested may contact Maha Sarakham Municipality.