At 8:50 a.m. on August 1, 2026, a reporter received a briefing from the Chiang Mai Sangha Committee's investigation panel confirming that monks at various temples have been secretly organizing parties in monastery quarters and hiring entertainment workers to provide services at night. Those involved reportedly range from junior monks to temple abbots, and the committee now possesses photographs and evidence of these activities.

The provincial ecclesiastical office has received substantial documentation and photographs. Monks identified in the investigation have been organizing regular meetups to host these parties. Monks from temples with named individuals use private vehicles—including black Toyota Camrys, black Toyota Viosses, white Ford vehicles, and at senior abbot level, Toyota Fortuners—to reach meeting points. Some monks have used ride-hailing services, while junior monks from surrounding districts use pickup trucks but avoid using temple drivers to prevent word leaking out, opting instead to drive themselves or take rides.

These gatherings involve hiring entertainment workers to serve, with alcohol readily available in refrigerators and coolers. Photos have been shared in group LINE chats, with some images leaking to the provincial ecclesiastical office. Incidents have reportedly occurred where workers grew concerned about their safety and sought health checks, with one threatening to file a complaint if they contracted an illness. The group of monks involved have been openly defiant of monastic discipline.

Chiang Mai's ecclesiastical authorities have compiled a list of these monks at both junior and senior levels, including specific temples involved. Vallop Namwongporn, cultural development committee member for Chiang Mai Province and advisor to the Chiang Mai Sangha, revealed that during Buddhist Lent—when monks are supposed to remain in their temples during the rainy season—some groups secretly leave their monasteries to host parties in various temple quarters. While such conduct would constitute only a minor disciplinary offense if discovered, it remains inappropriate. He urged all monks engaged in such behavior to stop immediately, warning that if caught or exposed, it will harm Buddhism's reputation significantly. He called for all to cease this conduct during the current Lent period for the benefit of the Buddhist faith.

Update: Police link Russian siblings’ murder to Thai family killingLegacyProvincial Police Region 2 has confirmed that the killings of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, are believed to be the work of the same gang, who allegedly posed as police officers to gain entry to victims’ homes before marching them off at gunpoint. Pol Lt Gen Chatchai Surachetphong, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, gave the update on the night of July 31 after investigators located the burial sites of all five victims within roughly two kilometres of each other in the Huai Yai subdistrict area. Officers first took suspects Thana Kerdthong, known as “Pong,” and Thongchai Srinil, known as “Thong,” to a wooded area locals call Sak Ngaeo forest, where they pointed out the grave of the two Russian siblings. Investigators then moved the pair to a coconut plantation about two kilometres away, where they identified a second grave, this time containing the bodies of a Thai mother, father and child, buried together in a single pit. Police say the family murder involved four people in total: Thana and Thongchai, along with two suspects still on the run, named as Chatchanan Paen-iam, alias “Fluke,” and Atsadang Chuwong, alias “Ball.” Officers are continuing to hunt for the pair, believed to still be hiding in the area. According to the investigation, the gang allegedly dressed as police officers and told the family they needed to search the house. The victims were then handcuffed and taken from their home to the coconut plantation, where they were shot and buried, police said. Investigators are still gathering evidence to establish each suspect’s specific role. What happened to the Russian siblings The two Russian victims were found buried together in a single grave about 1 metre deep, with the woman’s body positioned beneath the man’s. Neither body had been wrapped, and both were still fully clothed. Initial examinations found signs of physical assault on the woman, while the man had gunshot wounds to his abdomen and head. Police said there was no evidence so far of sexual assault against the woman, though a full forensic post mortem is still pending. Officers said the suspects’ statements were broadly consistent with the physical evidence collected. According to the suspects, they did not know the siblings beforehand and had intended only to steal their motorcycle. They later stripped the bike for parts to sell, then buried the components once police began closing in. Photo courtesy of MGR Online Suspects’ backgrounds under scrutiny Chatchai said police are now checking whether the suspects are linked to any other criminal cases, noting that the main suspect had been released from prison only around two months earlier. He confirmed two accomplices remain at large and are believed to still be in the area. Sister recounts month long search Tukta, sister of one of the three Thai victims, spoke to reporters in tears, describing more than a month spent searching for her sister, brother in law and nephew or niece. She said the family filed police reports, contacted officers repeatedly, and pursued every lead they could, without success, until the Russian siblings’ case broke open and led investigators to the family’s burial site. Tukta said that without the Russian case being solved, her family might never have learned what happened to their relatives. She called on police to pursue the case against all those involved to the fullest extent, and appealed for justice for every victim. The story Update: Police link Russian siblings’ murder to Thai family killing as seen on Thaiger News.

Nathana Chaipraseuth, president of the Thai Sepak Takraw Association, expressed satisfaction that 19 nations have confirmed participation in the 39th King's Cup World Championship, to be held August 4-11 at Fashion Island. The competition is a prestigious and historic 40-year-old tournament regarded as one of the sport's most sacred championships worldwide.

International Sepak Takraw Federation Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Kader noted that this King's Cup has attracted more participating nations than the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, scheduled for next month, highlighting the tournament's significant global standing.

When asked about contingency plans for Thai athletes potentially banned before the King's Cup concludes, association president Chaipraseuth confirmed that Thailand has prepared backup rosters. If a team nominally sends 14 players, the association prepares 19-20 athletes, ensuring sufficient depth should any competitor face sanctions.

Regarding sepak takraw's inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar—a region less experienced with the sport—Dr. Seehasak Arirachakaran, the association's vice president and secretary-general, indicated the federation will collaborate with the Olympic Council of Asia to develop competitive teams in the Middle East. He noted that Thai coaches are already based there, and by promoting more competitions in underrepresented regions like South Asia and East Asia, the sport can strengthen globally and improve its chances of remaining in future Asian Games.

Police Lieutenant General Phon Pladurksa has died at age 103, the father of Dr. Paktpilai Taveeshin, spouse of former Prime Minister Srettha Taveeshin. The royal ablution ceremony will take place at Thepsirin Temple on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., followed by the water pouring ritual at 5:30 p.m. and the royal blessing ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Chanting services are scheduled for August 3–4 and August 6–7, 2026, both at 6:30 p.m., with the royal cremation ceremony set for August 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Lieutenant General Phon, born on March 25, 1923, in Ta Chana District, Surat Thani Province, completed his primary education at Ta Chana municipal school and finished middle school at Satun Provincial School and upper secondary school at Surat Thani Provincial School. He graduated from the Royal Thai Army Cadet Academy and the Police Cadet School with top honors in his class and received a scholarship to study at the Metropolitan Police Detective Training School in London, England.

His police career spanned from May 1, 1945, when he became a cadet, through various posts including vice commander of Bangkok Metropolitan Police and commander of Provincial Police Region 3. He retired from active service in 1984. He also held special royal positions serving the King from 1968 until 1983.

Phon married Udomsri Ramintra, daughter of Police Lieutenant General Phra Ramintra (Duang Ramintra), former Police Director-General, and Lady Pan Ramintra. They had five children, including Dr. Paktpilai Taveeshin, wife of former Prime Minister Srettha Taveeshin.

Thairyoak National Park's conservation management unit mobilized staff and veterinarians to rescue a male elephant calf, less than two weeks old, after it was separated from its herd near the Mae Nam Noi river in Kanchanaburi province on July 30–31, 2025. The calf was moved urgently from the flood-risk area to the park headquarters for intensive care.

On July 30 at 6:00 a.m., park rangers received a report from residents of a lost elephant calf on the riverbank. Rangers took approximately 1–2 hours by boat to reach the remote location. Overnight observation showed the calf calling repeatedly for its mother and exhibiting behaviors such as sucking on rocks and tree roots, but with no herd response. Officials estimated the calf had been swept away by floodwaters about two days earlier due to heavy rainfall in the area. Rangers provided milk under veterinary guidance to sustain the animal.

On July 31 at 9:00 a.m., veterinarians assessed the calf and found it to be a 40-kilogram male in critical condition with severe dehydration, mouth ulcers and inflammation reducing milk intake, conjunctivitis, and an umbilical wound. The team immediately transferred the calf to park headquarters for emergency intervention.

Peer Puangmali, head of Thairyoak National Park, stated: "We have established a temporary enclosure with disinfectant spraying and assigned staff to provide round-the-clock care under close veterinary supervision."

On August 1, veterinarians will collect blood samples to test for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). While awaiting results, the calf will remain in quarantine for continued monitoring. The park and veterinary team are committed to comprehensive care to ensure the young elephant's health and safety according to animal welfare standards.