A subdistrict Buddhist committee has nullified an election to select a new abbot for Wat Soi Dao in Nakhon Ratchasima, citing concerns that religious affairs are sensitive matters that could upset Buddhist followers. The temple has been without a permanent abbot for more than five years. Local village headman Ukrit Khao Nom Klang submitted a request to the subdistrict Buddhist committee to hold a public election for the position, and on June 28, voting took place with two candidates presented: Phra Plod Thong Pet (Candidate 1) and Phra Samanuk Tham Varo (Candidate 2). Candidate 1 won with 260 votes compared to 36 votes for Candidate 2, with 17 spoiled ballots.

However, on June 29, Pornpana Sankarun, director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Buddhist Office, announced that the election has no legal standing. Village headmen, temple committees, and local administration have no authority to hold elections or appoint acting abbots—such authority belongs exclusively to the monastic order under Buddhist ecclesiastical law and the Sangha Act. Officials acknowledged an initial misunderstanding by the subdistrict Buddhist committee but issued an order on June 27 to halt the proceedings before voting occurred, as the process violated monastic regulations.

According to Buddhist law, the appointment of an acting abbot is the responsibility of the subdistrict Buddhist committee, which must first consider the deputy abbot, then an assistant abbot, and finally any suitable monk if neither exists. The order emphasized that voting, show of hands, or referendums cannot be used to select an acting abbot. However, community members, local leaders, and officials may still submit information about the qualifications, conduct, and suitability of potential candidates for the monastic committee's consideration.

CP Group (Charoen Pokphand Group) has launched the Tsinghua University × CP Group Ph.D. Internship Program 2026, a pioneering collaboration model between the private sector and world-leading universities aimed at developing future researchers, leaders, and innovations through real-world business learning. The program marks the company's first partnership with Tsinghua University, China's top science and technology institution and one of the world's leading universities, as part of CP Group's broader strategy to build a global network of collaborations with premier academic institutions.

Under this initiative, CP Group seeks to provide students, researchers, and next-generation professionals with opportunities to learn through actual business engagement while co-developing knowledge, technology, and innovations that create positive economic, social, and national impact. The group plans to expand such collaborations with leading universities worldwide to establish an international ecosystem for talent development and innovation.

Eleven selected doctoral candidates from Tsinghua University have arrived in Thailand to begin the program. Their first activity included a meeting with Senior Chairman Thanin Chearavanont, where he shared insights on integrating knowledge, technology, and human potential to build sustainable organizations. He emphasized that "developing people is developing the future" and highlighted how engaging young researchers with real business challenges accelerates practical innovation creation and long-term societal benefits.

The meeting included senior executives from CP Group, including Prasit Boondwangsarit (Chairman of CP Foods), Thanisorn Chearavanont (Chairman of CP Extra), Dr. Theeraphol Thananomsakdit (Chairman of Corporate Sustainability and Strategy Development), and Pimlratana Reepattanawijit (Chief Human Resources Officer). Before meeting the Senior Chairman, the students attended an orientation at True Tower Ratchadamri, where Pimlratana presented on "HR Strategies and Employee Experience," sharing approaches to employee experience development and talent cultivation in global organizations. Dr. Theeraphol then delivered an overview of CP Group's global vision, business direction, and its operations spanning agriculture, food, retail, telecommunications, digital technology, and sustainability, along with the company's six core values.

Gub Gib Sumonthip has posted a touching tribute to her husband Bee Thassakaya, sharing photos from their first day together to now after 11 years have passed. The sweetness between them remains unchanged as she thanks him for caring for her heart and always showing her respect.

The couple is yet another entertainment industry pair known for their long-lasting love and constant sweet moments that make fans smile. Recently, Gub Gib and Bee Thassakaya have filled social media with love when Gub Gib posted comparison photos from the past to present, along with a heartfelt message to her husband that captures the love and encouragement they've shown each other throughout their 11 years together.

Beyond the warm photos, Gub Gib wrote a touching message to her husband: "My favorite journey is still you. 11 years we've been by each other's side. Who still remembers our first day? Being alone was happy, but when Bee came into Gib's life, it became even more filled with smiles and joy. Really, there's nothing—I just want to say how amazing it is that we have each other like this. Life as a team with Bee is incredibly cool. Thank you for always being proud of Gib, no matter what Gib does. The way Bee looks at Gib from day one until now—when Gib looks down from the stage, from everywhere Bee goes to support Gib—that gaze is so cute and it makes Gib feel warm and truly loved by Bee. Thank you for taking care of my heart, my feelings, protecting Gib and always showing so much respect. Bee is as lovely as the world itself. Thank you so much."

The Thai Meteorological Department issued its 7th weather advisory on June 29, 2026, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and strong winds in the upper Andaman Sea from June 29 to July 3. The eastern region and western coast of the south will experience the heaviest rainfall due to a monsoon trough passing over the northern and northeastern regions combined with the strengthening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

Residents in affected areas are warned of the dangers from intense accumulated rainfall, which could cause sudden flash floods and torrential flooding, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying terrain. In the upper Andaman Sea, waves are expected to reach 2-3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will see waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters during thunderstorms.

Boaters in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are advised to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore during this period. The public is urged to carefully plan daily activities and travel during this time.

Affected provinces include: June 29: Chanthaburi and Trat (very heavy rain); Ranong and Phangnga (very heavy rain); plus Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Bangkok and surrounding areas, Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Yala, Narathiwat, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun (heavy rain).

June 30: Similar patterns with slightly adjusted province listings.

Three men attempting to feed fish cages in a reservoir encountered disaster when the rope snapped and the cage drifted far from shore. After jumping into the water to retrieve it, one man drowned while two survived. At 8:00 AM on June 29, 2025, Navy SEAL Team 31 from Nakhon Ratchasima and diving personnel resumed search operations in Mueang Bun Reservoir, Crathum District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Previous search efforts the day before had been hampered by heavy rain, strong winds, waves, and powerful currents, leading rescuers to suspend operations at approximately 6:00 PM without locating the missing person.

According to community leaders, three residents went to feed the fish cages in Mueang Bun Reservoir when the rope tether broke, causing the cage to detach from the main raft and drift away. All three men jumped into the water to retrieve the rope and bring the cage back to shore. However, due to strong winds and currents, the cage drifted more than 200 meters away. Despite their efforts to pull it back, they were unsuccessful as it continued drifting further. They decided to swim back to shore.

People on shore saw them struggling and quickly launched a motorized boat to assist. However, one man, identified as Somchai, 48 years old, lost strength and drowned before reaching shore. Only two men could be rescued. After failing to locate the third man, they alerted police and rescue personnel.

Today, authorities discovered Somchai's body floating face-down on the water's surface, wearing only shorts. With the reservoir water level significantly depleted, it is believed his body was swept approximately 400-500 meters from the drowning location and became caught on a sand bar approximately 100 meters from shore.

Deputy Superintendent Prinyah Chop Sueng Noen of Crathum Police Station ordered the body brought to shore and transported to Crathum Hospital for forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death before releasing it to relatives for religious rites.

Ubon Ratchathani, a key province in Northeast Thailand with significant economic, agricultural, tourism, and border trade potential, faces ongoing water resource management challenges due to its location at the confluence of the Chi and Mun rivers before flowing into the Mekong. The convergence of these waterways combined with community expansion and land use changes incompatible with seasonal water flow patterns has resulted in recurring floods in low-lying areas of the Mun River basin.

Following the catastrophic 2011 floods that severely impacted Ubon Ratchathani's economy, utilities, transportation infrastructure, and agricultural areas, the Royal Irrigation Department has studied and designed a comprehensive water management approach through the "Ubon Ratchathani Flood Mitigation Project" to resolve recurring flooding and prepare for future climate variations.

Pichert Ratanaprasetkul, director of the Royal Irrigation Department's Engineering Design and Architecture Office, revealed on June 26, 2025 that the project is currently in the survey and detailed design phase, emphasizing the importance of academic data, public participation, and input from all sectors to ensure the development approach aligns with local conditions and genuine community needs.

"Modern water management is not merely about flood control," Ratanaprasetkul stated, "but must address long-term water security, ecosystem balance, agricultural support, community welfare, and adaptation to ongoing climate change."

The project encompasses areas in Khon Kaen (Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province) and six districts in Ubon Ratchathani (Warin Chamrap, Sawang Virawong, Na Yiao, Pibulmangsahan, and Sirindhon), all interconnected within the Mun River basin.

The project components include:

1. Main water diversion canal spanning 86.84 km, receiving water from Huai Khayung and discharging into the Mun River below Saphue Rapid. This is divided into two segments: Segment 1 (9.68 km) from Huai Khayung to Huai Phap with capacity of at least 400 cubic meters per second, and Segment 2 (77.16 km) from Huai Phap to the Mun River with capacity of at least 1,200 cubic meters per second.

2. Secondary water diversion canal spanning 5.20 km, drawing water from the Mun River below Huai Na Dam and discharging at least 800 cubic meters per second.

3. Five water gates and regulation structures along the diversion canals.

4. Ninety-two structures including 42 intake works, 22 discharge structures, 20 vehicle bridges, 5 water bridges, 2 culverts, and 1 railroad bridge.

The Royal Irrigation Department has contracted PSTG JV to conduct the survey and design phases of the project.