Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul ordered Energy Minister Eknath Prom-phand during a cabinet meeting on July 7, 2026, to find ways to reduce retail fuel prices immediately and substantially. The PM noted that global oil prices have fallen and stabilized, making a domestic price cut justified. He emphasized the need to consider living costs, household expenses, and business operating costs. "When world prices went up, we asked people to accept higher prices. Now that global oil prices are down, we should pass that reduction on immediately and meaningfully, not gradually," Anuthin said. He specified there is no timeline set, but the Energy Ministry must work through its various committees, including the Fuel Fund Management Committee, to implement the policy. On food prices, the PM said Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Sophee Suthiramphan is aware and will proceed accordingly. The fuel price reduction is expected to lower prices across multiple product categories. The government will continue its blue flag affordable product program, price controls, and the Thai Helps Thai Plus initiative to reduce living expenses. When asked about inflation concerns, Anuthin stated the government must pursue multiple economic policies while focusing on improving public quality of life.

On Wednesday, July 8, 2024, the Buddhist community of Maha Sarakham commemorated the 58th anniversary of the death of Phra Khru Phituksuntharakarn, also known as Luang Pho Jan Chantsaro, the former abbot of Wat Ban Kham Pom in Kham Pom subdistrict, Wapi Pathum district, Maha Sarakham province. He was a monk of exemplary conduct and profound compassion, held in the faith of Buddhists from Maha Sarakham throughout his life.

Born into the Maldhara family in 1906 at Ban Kham Pom, he came from a farming background. He was ordained in 1926 at Wat Ban Nong Hai, with the renowned northeastern preceptor Phra Khru Suntharasathukij (Luang Pu Sun) of Wat Ban Sua Gok as his ordaining teacher. He studied the Buddha's teachings at the prestigious Wat Somanas Pradis school in Wapi Pathum district, achieving the highest levels of Dhamma studies. He also studied Buddhist philosophy with Luang Pu Sun, who compassionately transmitted vast knowledge and taught him to read and write in Lao, Khmer, and Thai Noi scripts, making him exceptionally learned in ancient writing systems.

He was strict in monastic discipline and cherished solitude. After the annual retreat, he regularly traveled to forests and mountains throughout the Northeast, seeking spiritual liberation following the Buddha's path. This deepened his understanding of both monastic law and meditation practice.

His exemplary and consistent conduct earned him quick recognition among the faithful. Daily, local devotees visited to pay respects and listen to his teachings. He continuously taught them to observe the Five Precepts, emphasizing that ordinary people need only uphold these precepts as a foundation for a life of happiness and prosperity.

He was a highly beneficial developer of Buddhism. Resources from the faith of devotees were directed toward temple development—buildings, religious objects, and structures like teaching halls, glass walls, and monk's quarters—while beautifying the temple grounds with abundant trees to create a serene, meditative atmosphere.

Using these resources, he also developed religious education, establishing a school at Wat Ban Kham Pom to teach Buddhist studies to ordained residents, many from impoverished families. He continuously supported the local community.

His virtuous conduct earned him the trust of the monastic community. He was appointed abbot of Wat Ban Kham Pom, district monk administrator for Kham Pom, preceptor, and received royal ecclesiastical ranks of Phra Khru with First, Second, and Third Class credentials under the name Phra Khru Phituksuntharakarn.

He worked tirelessly managing monastic affairs, community development, and ceremonial duties. Despite his declining health from advanced lung cancer, he initially refused hospitalization, recognizing that birth, aging, illness, and death are universal truths no one can escape. Eventually, his disciples persuaded him to receive treatment at a provincial hospital, though he later requested to return to the temple.

He passed away peacefully on July 8, 1968, at the age of 62, having completed 42 Buddhist retreat seasons.

The Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, jointly with Wat Thai Bodh Gaya in Bihar State, India, the Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, and the Thai Consulate General in Mumbai held a 15-day merit-making ceremony to dedicate merit to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, Princess Siriphatchr, and Maha Vachiralakshadathida. Ceremonies were held at both Thai consulates general on June 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at Wat Thai Bodh Gaya's ordination hall in India.

Phra Brahmavachir Bodhivongs, abbot of Wat Thai Bodh Gaya and chief Buddhist missionary for India-Nepal, presided over the monastic side, while Chaiyapal Sukaiam, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, led the lay participants. Deputy Consul General Benjapa Thabtong of Kolkata, Ministry of Culture officials, and Thai and Indian Buddhists attended. During the ceremony, ten Thai monks and ten international monks chanted Buddhist scriptures, offered merit dedications, conducted alms-offering rituals, and shared food with the assembled monks.

This ceremony was not merely a merit-making occasion but also a reflection on Her Highness's faith and commitment to nurturing Buddhism's connection with the sacred Buddhist lands. This bond has been evident since 2553 Buddhist Era (2010), when Thai Airways Limited organized a special merit-making flight to Bodh Gaya on the 50th anniversary occasion, with gracious royal permission from His Majesty, then as the Crown Prince, who served as the first pilot, bringing Buddhists to pay respects at the Mahabodhi Temple, the Sri Mahabodhi Tree, and the Vajrasana platform, accompanied by Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana—a display of royal faith that impressed both Thai and Indian Buddhists.

In 2559 Buddhist Era (2016), Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha visited Bodh Gaya again, where she meditated beneath the Sri Mahabodhi Tree within Mahabodhi Temple, the site where Buddha achieved enlightenment. She paid respects at four sacred pilgrimage sites in India and Nepal and graciously provided aid to local underprivileged communities, earning her the affectionate title "Maharani" (Great Queen) among Indians, reflecting her virtuous character, boundless compassion, and beloved status.

In June 2026, Thai monks and administrators of Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya conducted a memorial ceremony beneath the Sri Mahabodhi Tree, the very place where Her Royal Highness once meditated, reflecting the enduring respect, affection, and gratitude that Buddhists and monks in the sacred Buddhist lands continue to hold for her.

This merit-making ceremony aimed to dedicate merit, honor her royal faith, compassion, and efforts in promoting Buddhism, while reflecting the steadfast bond between Thailand and the sacred Buddhist lands that remains honored by Buddhists to this day.

Luang Por Kring Pannyapalo, officially titled Phra Khru Withaan Kanchanakij, was a highly respected monk at Wat Bodhi Liam in Tha Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. He was the principal disciple of the legendary Luang Por Noi Kandhajocho of Wat Sirsothon in Nakhon Pathom, the master of the renowned Rahu-Moon Consuming and Celestial Archery traditions. As a devoted student, Kring inherited knowledge of numerous sacred amulets related to Rahu. Born March 30, 1917, in Ban Thuan as Kring Jindakul to parents Nai Nak and Nang Thiap Jindakul, he was ordained on April 24, 1940, at Wat Tha Ruea. He spent his monastic training at Wat Wang Sala before relocating to Wat Sirsothon to study Buddhist scripture and esoteric sciences under Luang Por Noi. Among his teacher's two main disciples, Kring alone showed deep interest in mystical knowledge. Luang Por Noi consecrated betel leaves and areca nuts for him to chew daily before teaching him archery and Rahu magic, making Kring the only disciple to receive complete Rahu instruction. He later settled at Wat Hua Phong, returning to Wat Sirsothon in 1944 at the community's invitation. During World War II, Japanese soldiers camped near Wat Bodhi Liam. According to local legend, when Kring passed through their camp one evening, a Japanese soldier mistaking him for an enemy drew a samurai sword and slashed his back, tearing his robes yet leaving his skin untouched. Awed by this miraculous event, the soldiers greatly revered him, providing jeep rides to Wat Sirsothon and later gifting vehicles and generators to the temple. Wat Bodhi Liam thus became one of Kanchanaburi's first temples with automobiles and electricity. In 1976, Kring received ecclesiastical promotion to Phra Khru Withaan Kanchanakij. He was devoted to monastic discipline, remaining at the temple during hot seasons when others took leave, maintaining buildings and supporting Buddhist education. Despite his commitment to Wat Bodhi Liam, he maintained deep ties to Wat Sirsothon, generously supporting it throughout his life. He passed away peacefully on July 14, 1992, at 4:30 p.m., having lived 75 years with 52 years in monastic robes. His most celebrated sacred objects are the Rahu talismans called 'Rahu Kala Kaew,' created from 1947 onward. These amulets feature either droplet or pillar shapes, differing from Luang Por Noi's style, and are crafted from single-eyed shells and old lead from Si Sawat District, with Rahu imagery carved on the front.

CUU Thailand has generated significant buzz by introducing a new yaoi couple to the industry: Tissa Warattathisa Limthammaramisor and Anna Suengamean, who star together in "Love Above The Clouds." The pair made their debut at the company's major project launch event at Lido Connect Hall 1, where they gave their first joint interview as on-screen partners, sharing insights into their casting, chemistry, and romantic scenes.

When asked about their excitement as a new couple, Tissa said: "I'm thrilled. This is a new opportunity and experience for both of us. This is our first time playing a couple together, though we may have crossed paths at events before. But this is the first drama we're doing together as a pair." Anna added: "Actually, I was once a host for Tissa's show, and we would tease each other joking about whether girl-girl relationships are trending right now or if we could be the ones. I'm happy to be working with Tissa."

Regarding their characters' relationship, Tissa explained: "It's definitely intense and passionate. With each character's personality, neither gives in to the other. My character is a CEO of a security company, and Anna's character infiltrates the company to gather information." Anna noted: "I'm a spy, so there's suspense involved. The novel version has a lot of romance, but I'm not sure how much romance will be adapted in this version. The intensity is definitely there though."

When asked if Anna initially seemed more like the masculine role (seme) but ended up being more feminine (uke), Anna responded with laughter: "Yes, everyone might think Anna looks strong and more seme, but on the outside I might be seme, but my heart is truly uke. I feel shy. When I first played the masculine role, it felt strange and awkward. When Tissa and I switched roles in one scene, the chemistry was just right. Tissa has a natural leader presence and is more calm, while I'm playful."

Regarding Tissa appearing gentle and sweet on the outside but having more masculine energy, Tissa said: "I'll leave that for viewers to decide. In terms of the character, the masculine role might suit me better, but overall, who knows which side I'm actually on until you watch it."

When asked about a shy moment during an intimate scene with Tissa, Anna said: "I was embarrassed. It was just one shot in the Pilot episode. We didn't even rehearse it beforehand." Tissa confirmed: "We only had blocking directions for that specific part." Anna added: "That's why I was so shy. In our previous scenes together, it felt more like we were acting, but this time since we were cast first and have spent time together, I felt embarrassed." She smiled, noting how the comfort between them made the moment more genuine.

For Tissa, this is her first foray into yaoi drama. She expressed: "I'm very new to this genre. I'm asking for your support. Anna and I have actually met many times already, so I feel comfortable with our pairing. We really hope everyone will support us on this new journey. We're both committed, and we'd like to ask our fans to keep an open mind."

When asked if playing a girl-girl relationship might overshadow her previous male-female dramas, Tissa responded: "I understand that naturally. Since I've been in the industry for a long time and have done many dramas, fans might still remember and love previous works. But this is another new character, and I think everyone should enjoy it because the story is very intense—it's not just sweet and lighthearted."

Asked if she felt pressure taking on a yaoi drama for the first time, Tissa said: "I don't want to think of it as pressure. I told Anna that our pairing should feel natural—we shouldn't stress about having to be any particular way." Anna concluded: "I'm very happy Tissa is standing here with me today. She's a partner I can go far with. From the casting to getting to know each other, everything has been great."