Chiang Mai — On August 1, 2026, Buddhist authorities in Chiang Mai have warned monks to stop allegedly holding private parties at temples during Khao Phansa after receiving reports that entertainment workers, alcohol and groups of monks were being brought together inside monks' quarters.

Khao Phansa is the traditional three-month rains retreat during which Buddhist monks remain at their temples and devote more time to religious practice.

On Saturday at 08:50, a source from an inspection committee under the Chiang Mai Provincial Ecclesiastical Office said authorities had received reports, photographs and a list of monks allegedly involved in gatherings at temples across the province.

The allegations involve monks ranging from junior temple residents to abbots, according to the source.

The monks were reportedly arranging late-night parties inside their living quarters and inviting entertainment workers to attend. Alcohol, including beer and spirits, was allegedly stored in refrigerators and ice boxes at the venues.

The source said members of the group had shared photographs from the gatherings in private Line chats, with some images later reaching provincial ecclesiastical authorities.

Some monks allegedly drove their own cars or used ride-hailing services to reach meeting points at different temples. They reportedly avoided using temple drivers because they feared information about the gatherings would be leaked.

The report included detailed descriptions of vehicles allegedly used by monks from several temples. Names of the temples and individuals are being withheld because the allegations have not been independently verified and no formal disciplinary findings have been announced.

The source also alleged that an entertainment worker previously sought medical testing after becoming concerned about possible exposure to an infection following an encounter with members of the group.

The worker reportedly threatened to file a complaint if the test returned a positive result. No infection was detected, however, and the matter did not proceed further.

Wallop Namwongphrom, a member of the Chiang Mai Provincial Cultural Council and an adviser to the provincial monastic authorities, said Khao Phansa was traditionally a period when monks remained at their temples during the rainy season.

He said some monks had nevertheless been accused of secretly leaving their temples or gathering inside monks' quarters to hold parties.

Wallop said such behaviour could amount to a minor monastic offence but remained inappropriate and damaging to public confidence.

"I would like to warn monks who regularly organise parties to stop, regardless of the date or month," he said. "If they are caught or the matter becomes public, it will cause widespread damage."

He added that Buddhism and temples were not inherently damaged by such incidents, but that individual monks brought disrepute upon themselves through their conduct.

"During Khao Phansa, please stop for the sake of the monastic order and public trust," he concluded.

On August 1, 2025, Kraiwit Pirisananuntakul, Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong, addressed the Senate election fraud case that opposition parties have raised recently. He expressed no concern about the possibility of party dissolution, noting that the matter is already under review by the Election Commission and should follow proper legal procedures.

When asked whether the party could prove its innocence if accusers presented evidence, Kraiwit said he welcomes scrutiny as a normal process. He stated that while the opposition claims to have evidence, the party remains confident in its integrity and that all nine individuals named have denied involvement in the Senate election irregularities.

Regarding the timing of the opposition's accusations amid Cabinet reshuffling reports, Kraiwit suggested they aim to pressure the Election Commission to keep the case moving. He flatly denied claims of internal party divisions or "two in one" conflicts, calling such stories baseless and amusing to party leaders. He emphasized that Bhumjaithai is known for its unity and solidarity.

Police received a murder report at 9:15 a.m. on August 1, 2569, from a residence in Chalong Subdistrict, Muang District, Phuket. Officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Charuwitthaya Khuncharoen from Chalong Police Station responded to find the body of a 74-year-old woman (name withheld) with severe wounds from sharp objects and large amounts of blood scattered around the house.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim, who was the mother-in-law, was inside the home with a 36-year-old daughter-in-law (name withheld) when the two had a serious argument. The suspect became angry and violently attacked the victim, causing her to fall, then repeatedly stabbed her with a knife across her body and face. In a particularly brutal act, the suspect used a knife to decapitate the victim.

A neighbor witnessed the incident and alerted police. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the suspect hiding in the bathroom and immediately took her into custody. Investigators, forensic staff, and the duty medical examiner began examining the body and collecting evidence at the scene, while authorities launched a detailed investigation into the motive and circumstances of the killing for legal proceedings.

PHUKET: A fire broke out at a construction site in the Bang Tao area of Phuket yesterday afternoon (July 31), prompting firefighters to respond and bring the blaze under control.

Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property is warning franchise businesses to urgently register and protect their intellectual property as the sector continues to grow rapidly. According to Department Director Oramont Saupthaweethum, Thailand's franchise business is worth over 300,000 billion baht and is a popular expansion model for entrepreneurs seeking to grow their brands quickly. However, franchising involves more than just licensing a business name or opening branches—it requires proper protection of trademarks, production formulas, management systems, and business knowledge that form the core value and competitive advantage of the business. Without proper protection and management, businesses risk counterfeit operations, unauthorized use of rights, and future disputes.

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The Department is ready to advise and support businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs, in leveraging intellectual property as a tool for value creation and competitive advantage. Entrepreneurs can request free intellectual property consulting through the IP Consulting Center (IPAC) at the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, or call the hotline 1368 for guidance on protecting, utilizing, and managing intellectual property.