Nonthaburi City Police received a report on July 16 of a gang assault involving youths throwing firebombs on Phibulsongkram Road near Rama V Bridge, Ban Yai Subdistrict, Muang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers found the victim's motorcycle overturned on the roadside, with scorch marks and debris from firebombs and energy drink bottles scattered at the scene.

The injured man, Pongsakorn, 24, fled to a convenience store after the attack and was found with stab wounds to the right neck and left shoulder. Rescue workers provided first aid before transferring him to Phra Nang Klao Hospital, where doctors confirmed his injuries are no longer life-threatening. A sharp knife was recovered from the convenience store and seized as evidence.

Pongsakorn stated that approximately 10 assailants arrived on motorcycles and threw firebombs at him before chasing him down. His 16-year-old brother, A (alias), said both were returning from shopping when they encountered the gang descending from Rama V Bridge from Bang Sri Muang side. The attackers, identified as Bang Sri Muang youths, pulled knives and chased them. Although they fled into the convenience store, the attackers followed and stabbed his brother, then stole his motorcycle.

CCTV footage from 1:10 a.m. showed six motorcycles carrying approximately 10 perpetrators approaching the victim's single motorcycle carrying two people near the municipal fresh market. After exchanging insults, the gang threw firebombs and pursued the victim, who fled to the convenience store for help. Investigators are gathering statements from the victim at the hospital and pursuing charges against the gang.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated on July 16 at Government House that local government exam fraud and Thailand's OECD membership bid are separate matters. OECD membership requires good governance and audit principles, he said, adding that while complete prevention of cheating is impossible, the government has systems to investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders as quickly as possible. Anutin noted that on July 15, people both inside and outside involved in the fraud were arrested and prosecuted, with investigations continuing. Multiple trusted agencies—including the National Anti-Corruption Commission, National Police, and Anti-Money Laundering Office, as well as the Interior Ministry itself—are conducting full investigations. When asked whether the Central Civil Service Commission's decision was unlikely to change, Anutin said the details should be explained by those responsible, and the commission will act accordingly. He emphasized that all actions must follow the law.

Maha Sarakham—July 16, 2025. A solemn atmosphere filled the grounds of Ban Nong Khuean Chang Temple in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province, as relatives, friends, and villagers gathered to pay respects after the family of Ladawalai Netsopha, known as "Nong Prae," age 20, received her remains. She was one of the victims of a fire at an entertainment venue in Bangkok's Ladprao area. The Po Tek Tung Foundation brought her body to Maha Sarakham in the early morning hours, and the family decided to hold a funeral service at the temple for convenience, since their home is located far from town.

Sukhanya Sena, village headman of Don Tal Village, stated that Nong Prae was a kind, diligent, and selfless young woman who served as a volunteer and youth leader in the community. She excelled in school and worked part-time jobs whenever she had free time to help support her family. Her household consisted of only four members—her father, grandfather, older sister, and herself. Despite her circumstances, Nong Prae demonstrated remarkable determination, once collecting milk containers at street intersections and reselling goods to earn income. She worked while completing secondary school and later enrolled at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok while continuing to work, sending money home each month to care for her father and grandfather.

The village headman expressed deep sorrow, noting that Nong Prae was just beginning to build a promising future through both her studies and work. He called on authorities to provide comprehensive support to the family, as they had lost their primary breadwinner.

Nong Prae's older sister, Lakkhana Netsopha, known as "Nong Gaem," revealed that on the night of the incident, her sister had asked permission to go out with friends, saying she would visit a restaurant. Nong Gaem received a call from a friend alerting her to the fire. After viewing photos of victims at Phahol Yothin Police Station and identifying the young woman in a red dress and high heels as her sister, she traveled to the police hospital to provide a DNA sample for official identification.

Nong Gaem also recounted an unusual omen: she typically turned off her phone while sleeping, but that night she had inexplicably left it on with the volume up. She spoke through tears, saying that both she and her sister were the pillars of their family, contributing approximately 10,000 baht monthly to care for their father and grandfather. With her sister's death, she expressed uncertainty about how to move forward, as they had spent every day together. She called on the business operator to take responsibility and provide appropriate compensation to the bereaved family.

The funeral service for Nong Prae was held on July 16, 2025, at Ban Nong Khuean Chang Temple in Mueang District, amid the grief of family members, relatives, and villagers struggling to come to terms with the loss.

According to a new study released by the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan US-based think tank, 25 of 36 countries surveyed now view China more positively than the United States—marking the first time this finding has emerged since the organization began tracking global opinion in 2002, 24 years ago. The research shows that favorable views of China have reached historic highs in many countries, while perceptions of the United States have declined significantly. Over 42,000 respondents across 36 countries surveyed between February and May expressed low confidence in both US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, although Xi received higher confidence ratings than Trump. The survey found that the United States is still seen as more respectful of individual freedoms than China, but China is viewed as less likely to meddle in other nations' affairs than the US. The Pew Research Center noted that favorable views of the US had dropped sharply in the past, including in 2008 during the final years of President George W. Bush's administration and in 2017 at the beginning of Trump's first term, but Chinese favorability ratings had remained at similar or slightly lower levels during those periods. Among the countries with the most positive views of China are Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Greece, and Canada, while the six countries that still favor the United States are mostly strong US allies: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, and Israel.

Luang Pho Thiang Pandito, the second abbot of Wat Tham Nimit in Mae Klong Subdistrict, Muang District, Samut Songkhram Province, was a renowned Buddhist scholar of the Mae Klong river basin with deep expertise, though limited biographical records survive. He was born in B.E. 2370 and ordained on May 15, B.E. 2392 at age 22 at Wat Tham Nimit under Phra Upachaya Bun, the temple's abbot, with Phra Ajarn Ma serving as preceptor in the ceremonial role. He then departed to pursue higher Buddhist studies at Rajpradithesat Temple in Bangkok for four monastic seasons.

During his fourth season, Phra Ajarn Ma passed away in B.E. 2396, prompting his return to Wat Tham Nimit. He temporarily managed the monastery before being formally invited to serve as abbot in B.E. 2403 with Phra Ajarn Sang assisting him. As abbot, he upheld strict monastic discipline, taught both monks and laypeople in both doctrine and morality, and earned such respect that devotees voluntarily contributed resources to develop the temple's buildings and sacred objects.

He died of old age on Friday, February 18, B.E. 2458, at age 83 with 61 monastic seasons. Phra Khemabhimukkha from Wat Pichayayadika Temple in Bangkok carried news of his death to the capital, informing Somdet Phra Mahasamana Chao Krom Phraya Wachirayana Worothes, who approved Phra Ajarn Thonwom to succeed him in B.E. 2458.

In B.E. 2459, the high prelate visited to order funeral preparations, personally presiding and donating a commemorative kutee (monastic dwelling). The cremation that year was conducted with the high prelate as principal, Phra Ajarn Thonwom as vice-principal, and prominent lay supporters attending. Though the ceremony was delayed due to the prelate's other duties, it eventually concluded with full dignity and ceremony.

Luang Pho Thiang's scholarly achievements remain celebrated to this day. The amulets and blessed objects he consecrated remain highly sought after. Most notably, the first-edition medal, cast in B.E. 2461 as a cremation memorial in brass only, remains popular among collectors, though the total number produced was never recorded.

Kyo Roll En is launching its moon cakes earlier than competitors this year, and doing so in style with a high-profile collaboration between Chef Dech Kiuakachcha and Chef Hideki Sato of Ta Vie, a three-Michelin-starred French-Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong, to create Thailand's first three-Michelin-starred moon cake.

The connection between the two chefs is remarkable: Chef Dech, once an admirer, traveled to intern at Ta Vie in Hong Kong in 2019 to train under his idol. Chef Dech's skills have since flourished, making him the first Thai pastry chef to win Asia's Best Pastry Chef 2025 from Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. He has also collaborated with numerous leading chefs, including Chef Ton-Thitipat, Chef Pam-Pichaya, Chef Andy Yang, and other Michelin-starred chefs from Japan and Singapore.

Now, teacher and former student have reunited in the kitchen to create a limited-edition moon cake series. The collection features four limited flavors: two from Chef Sato—Chestnut Pu-Er Tea and Osmanthus Custard with Orange—and two from Chef Dech: Yuzu Lava and Satsuma Imo.

The packaging is premium and elegant, featuring red cloth with a phoenix feather pattern. The wooden box can be repurposed as a photo frame. Each box contains eight pieces covering all four flavors, paired with "Simple Kaffa" championship coffee from Taiwan, priced at 1,688 baht.

For those preferring the classic Cantonese-style moon cake, Kyo Roll En also offers its original recipe in four flavors: Custard with Salted Egg Lava (Hong Kong recipe), Durian with Salted Egg, Matcha Lava, and Taro with Black Sesame—a new flavor featuring whole black sesame seeds with a chewy mochi texture.

Two sizes are available: the large set with eight pieces covering all four flavors in a lantern-shaped box, priced at 1,288 baht, and the small set with four pieces in a chic handbag-shaped box, priced at 688 baht.

All moon cakes are open for pre-order from today until August 12, with an early-bird discount of 20% at Kyo Roll En or www.kyorollen.com/order. Products can be received from August 1 onwards.