Rival gang members clashed in a pre-dawn gunfight at 3 a.m. on July 27, 2025, in Samut Prakan's Mueang district after a social media dispute escalated into street violence. The incident, recorded by residents, showed two groups of teenagers on motorcycles wielding knives, firecrackers, and firearms in a pursuit that ended near a power line junction, where 18-year-old Thanakorn was shot multiple times in the chest and died at the hospital.

Police arrested two suspects within hours: a 17-year-old shooter and a 14-year-old driver, along with a third accomplice with an outstanding warrant. During interrogation, the shooter confessed to the killing but claimed the homemade firearm was lost during his escape to Bang Pu. Officers recovered a pen gun during a house search but continue investigating the whereabouts of the actual murder weapon.

The investigation revealed the confrontation originated from an online social media argument, in which the victim allegedly insulted the shooter's sibling. This prompted the shooter to confront the victim, leading to mutual insults and challenges online before escalating into the fatal street encounter. The victim's friends stated the shooter's group initially threw bottles near their house before the motorcycle chase began, during which the shooter opened fire as they were being pursued.

The Thai Gold Merchants Association reported on July 27, 2026 that gold prices have surged compared to yesterday's closing level, with ornamental gold selling at 66,000 baht per baht weight. Gold prices for today increased by 350 baht compared to yesterday's final trading rate, with ornamental gold selling at 66,000 baht per baht weight based on the latest data from the Gold Merchants Association posted on their website at 9:18 AM. Bullion gold is trading at a domestic purchase price of 65,000 baht per baht weight and a selling price of 65,200 baht per baht weight according to the first announcement. For 96.5% ornamental gold, the purchase price is 63,702.32 baht per baht weight and the selling price is 66,000 baht per baht weight, while global gold spot prices are at $4,106.00 per ounce. Gold traders predict that when the market opens tomorrow, gold prices could jump another 1,000–2,000 baht per baht weight and potentially break through the 80,000 baht level.

The Bureau of the Royal Household invites members of the public to sign their names expressing their best wishes to His Majesty the King online, on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 74th birt...

The Bodhikhaya Witchayalai 980 Institute is advancing its "Bodhi People Mobilization" initiative to establish the "Bodhikhaya Fellowship" as a "Bodhikhaya Dhamma Army" to protect, support, and disseminate Buddhism in various roles both domestically and internationally.

Venerable Phromvachir Bodhiwongse (Veeryut Veeryuttho), head of the India-Nepal Dhamma Emissaries and abbot of Wat Thai Bodhikhaya, chaired the Bodhi People Mobilization meeting held on July 25, 1983, at the Thai Nakhon Pattana Company conference room. The gathering included senior monks, government and private sector representatives, and those who had ordained at the Bodhikhaya site.

Dr. Supchai Veeraphuchong, secretary-general of the institute, explained that the organization has been promoting the Dhamma Army concept under the "Bodhi People Mobilization" framework. The Bodhikhaya Witchayalai 980 Institute was founded in 2007 by a group who ordained at the Bodhi Mandapa beneath the great Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya in Bihar, India, as a merit offering to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on his 80th birthday. All participants were given the name "Bodhi," meaning "awakening."

Over the past 20 years, the institute has functioned as an international think tank, guided by the principle "Use Dhamma as power, not power as Dhamma." The network believes the Bodhi people are not merely a group of former monastics but a collective intellectual force forming a "Dhamma Army" to protect, promote, and uphold Buddhism. The institute is committed to preserving and spreading Buddhist principles as a universal human treasure, with the goal of creating a new world order based on morality, concentration, and wisdom rather than money or power.

Venerable Rajabodhivitetsavichimuni, Dr. Sompong Yanatthiro, secretary of the India-Nepal Dhamma Emissaries, reported that this gathering resulted from consultations among institute leadership to unite prominent individuals named "Bodhi" to exchange ideas and solidarity. Two preliminary meetings concluded that the organization should establish a Bodhi database and define its operational vision, leading to the formation of the Bodhikhaya Fellowship and the creation of the Bodhikhaya Dhamma Army to support and protect Buddhism.

Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) was established on July 27, 1990, as Thailand's first state-sponsored autonomous university and the nation's first technology institution. It pioneered a flexible management system called "integrated services and coordinated operations," a novel approach in Thai higher education at that time. Guided by the vision of its founding president, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisuan, known as the "father of SUT," the university transformed from a theoretical institution into one of action. On its 36th anniversary, Acting President Associate Professor Dr. Sitthichai Saengaditya reflected on the university's growth and outlined its future direction. "If a university were a person, at 36 years old it would be a fully mature adult," he noted. SUT has passed through three 12-year cycles, a period of full institutional growth. The university transformed degraded forest land into one of the country's leading green campuses, strengthened academics, research, innovation, and community engagement, and gained recognition at national and international levels, ranking among Thailand's top 10 universities according to prestigious institutions like QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, Webometrics, and U.S. News & World Report.

"The greatest source of pride is creating quality people."

Over its history, SUT has produced nearly 50,000 graduates at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in fields including science, engineering, agricultural technology, social technology, digital arts and sciences, public health, medicine, nursing, and dentistry. Graduate employment rates exceed 90 percent, with alumni working across government, private business, and industry sectors. Many have become top organizational leaders and successful entrepreneurs, and continue supporting younger generations. The university's teaching quality is further evidenced by new student enrollment in regular programs for academic year 2569 exceeding targets, reflecting confidence from students and parents nationwide. SUT also won 7 of 15 national cooperative education and work-integrated learning (CWIE) awards, demonstrating strength in developing student competencies to meet modern labor market demands. Coupled with advancing teaching standards, 75.1 percent of faculty have been certified in teaching competency under the United Kingdom's Professional Standards Framework (PSF) for higher education. The university also operates Surawiwat School, which develops learning skills for secondary students and serves as a model for other schools to elevate Thai secondary education to international standards.

"Creating research value: from concept to commercialization."

SUT's research quality is continuously published and cited at international levels, with strong technology transfer, knowledge dissemination, and development activities linked to academic services.

PHUKET: Local officials released 300,000 black tiger shrimp into coastal waters at Saphan Hin on Friday (July 24) as part of celebrations marking His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorns birthday tomorrow (July 28).