'Barami Phra Pa: Faith and Urban Power' Author: Saplot Ongphichatmetha Published by: Matichon Publishing House Price: 360 baht

Forest monks are typically remembered as clergy living far from cities and development, practicing ascetically in rural areas and forests with few possessions and little attachment to material comfort or convenience. This has earned them widespread respect from many people, not only villagers and provincial residents, but also urbanites in Bangkok—including the middle class, businesspeople, civil servants, and some aristocrats.

One of the most famous and respected forest monk lineages is the 'Phra Ajaan Man Bhūridatto' lineage.

This book presents the story of the Phra Ajaan Man lineage of forest monks, beginning with Phra Ajaan Man himself during the reign of King Rama V, when he was ordained, went on forest wanderings, and propagated Buddhism in the North and Northeast. His religious activities earned him respect from many monks and a steadily growing number of disciples.

This created a network of monks and laypeople united by their devotion to Phra Ajaan Man, and this network gradually expanded its influence and relationships with other people and social institutions. This growth accelerated through the forest monks' improved relationships with provincial administrators in the Northeast, which became a gateway for the Phra Ajaan Man lineage to gain wider recognition and respect throughout the country, particularly in Bangkok. Their connection with the disciples of Bowonniwet Monastery in the 1950s further linked them to aristocratic circles and the royal court.

The connection between the Phra Ajaan Man lineage and the palace became especially clear during the reign of King Rama IX. Due to the Communist insurgency problem in the 1960s, the King frequently traveled through rural areas and, as a patron of Buddhism, regularly made merit and paid respect to forest monks from the Phra Ajaan Man lineage. The King's personal faith in these monks, publicized through newspapers, radio, and television, significantly increased their respect and reverence among the Thai people.

••'Kham Chant: A Guide to Thai Classical Poetry'•• ••'Is This What Merit-Making Really Is?'••

"...When associating with the virtuous, one improves rapidly..." - A teaching by Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarah (P.A. Payutto), Yanawet Kiwan Temple

This week's column recommends a fine book from Mae Kham Pang Publishing: 'Kham Chant: Poetry as National Heritage' by Thongthaem Nathachanong. Currently, there are few introductory guidebooks on kham chant (Thai classical poetry) for teachers, students, and scholars. This book compiles explanations of prosody rules—bung, khru, lahu—and introduces nearly all major kham chant works from the Ayutthaya period through the 1932 political transition. It also adds cultural and historical context useful for educators, with helpful kham chant structure diagrams in the appendix. Price: 350 baht.

'Is This What Merit-Making Really Is?' by Chaiyapat Thongkambanj. Those who desire merit should listen carefully—not merely as a formality like most people, who are ignorant of what merit-making truly means, how to do it, or why. They simply make merit passively, assuming they've earned merit without understanding the deeper purpose.

A celebrated entertainment venue in Nakhon Ratchasima offering host bar services has drawn sharp criticism after staging an event in which a man dressed in a lawyer's robe, with a number pinned to his chest, was placed on stage for customers to select and buy him drinks as encouragement. The incident sparked intense debate over its appropriateness, with many arguing that the stunt inappropriately trivialized the dignified and honorable attire of the legal profession.

The bar subsequently posted an apology on Facebook, stating: "The establishment had no intention to imply, allude to, or disparage the legal profession in any way. If this action has caused discomfort or harm to any individual, group, organization, or related party, we humbly accept responsibility and offer our sincere apologies. We confirm that such events will not occur again."

Lawyer Tam Shinphan Saengphakdiyotin, chairman of Tam Shinphan Law Group, has expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing that lawyer's robes are prestigious attire with significant importance in the judicial process. Only individuals licensed to practice law are entitled to wear them. He warned that if wearing a lawyer's robe causes public confusion that the wearer is a real lawyer and results in financial or other harm to people, it may constitute fraud. Additionally, if images or clips are distributed via electronic media, the actions could potentially violate Thailand's Computer Crime Act, depending on the content, intent, and impact of each case.

Tam stressed that lawyer's robes symbolize the honor of legal professionals in the justice system and are not costume pieces that ordinary individuals may use arbitrarily for entertainment. He called on relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the facts and, if illegal conduct is found, to pursue legal action accordingly.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 marks the 60th death anniversary of Phra Khru Bor Dhammakij, known as Luang Pu Tian Pupphathamma, the late abbot of Wat Bost in Muang District, Pathum Thani Province. He was a respected Mon Buddhist master venerated by residents of Pathum Thani and esteemed by amulet collectors.

Born on November 2, 1876, in Krachang Subdistrict, Samkok District, he began his studies at age 11 and later moved to Wat Bost to learn Thai and Mon language. At age 14, he pursued further education at Wat Maha Phruddaram in Bangkok, then served in the royal household and the Court of Appeals before taking monastic vows in March 1896 at Wat Bang Na under the guidance of Phra Rammanya Rajamuni.

He settled at Wat Bost and became proficient in Pali, Ramanya, and various Buddhist teachings. He undertook forest retreats seeking spiritual peace, studying under Luang Pu Pho of Wat Wang Mao in Phichit, a Mon master and student of the renowned Luang Pu Ngern of Wat Bang Klan. In 1905, he was appointed abbot of Wat Bost, succeeding Phra Athikan Nuan. Over his life, he held various ecclesiastical positions and was eventually granted the title Phra Khru Bor Dhammakij.

He was known for creating numerous sacred amulets and talismans widely believed to possess spiritual power. During the Indochina War, he distributed sacred charms, spell-inscribed robes, cloth amulets, and metal tubes to villagers. His reputation grew so great that it was said no one wearing his sacred objects would die in battle. His amulets, particularly his first-edition medal cast in 1947, became highly coveted collectibles and remain rare and sought-after today.

As one of few Thai Buddhist masters granted such honor, he presented powder reliquaries and gold amulets numbered 9 and 99 to King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Chitralada Palace on June 15, 1966. He passed away peacefully on July 18, 1966, at the age of 90, having spent 70 years in monastic life.

SURIN — Fifty-seven students and teachers were injured after a school bus lost control and overturned on a highway in Surin province, authorities said.

Police at Prasat Police Station received a report of the accident at 11:22 hrs. The bus, carrying students from a school in Khukhan district, Sisaket province, overturned on Highway 214 in front of Wat Taluak in Kang Aen subdistrict, Prasat district.

Authorities said the bus was carrying 51 students and six teachers.

All 57 passengers suffered minor injuries. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported.

Police officers, emergency medical teams and other rescue agencies responded to the scene, providing assistance before transporting the injured to hospital for treatment. Traffic on the highway has since returned to normal.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Sanprasert Panniayam explained that Wat Salaekhuean is an ancient temple dating from the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin period, housing one historical dharmasala believed to be over 100 years old. The carved wooden structure had been stored for safekeeping after the temple renovated its sermon hall. When the temple committee expressed interest in restoring the dharmasala, the university's conservation unit coordinated with the Phranakorn Khiri National Museum to oversee the work while providing educational guidance to residents and school students on preservation techniques.

The restoration partnership involved monks, local administration, cultural networks, and textile expert Thanit Pumsai, who taught students how traditional Thai patterns featured in the dharmasala could inspire design work. "This project represents community participation from home, temple, school, and relevant agencies," Sanprasert said, "serving both heritage preservation and educational outreach while building local pride."

Museum director Prajin noted that conservation work began with careful cleaning of the dharmasala's carved wooden components featuring inlaid gold and decorative glass, using gentle dusting and cotton swabs before reassembly. The hands-on activity engaged students, monks, and residents in understanding conservation as cultural inheritance. Resident Samang Nutchompoo, known as "Aunty Toom," shared that the dharmasala originally stood in the temple's older sermon hall for monastic teachings before being relocated and stored when the hall required rebuilding. The new abbot and temple committee have now launched its restoration and reinstallation.

Bangkok, 17 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) joined a strategic review and operational inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 16 July, led by Mr. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, to accelerate existing measures to improve passenger flow, ease congestion, raise service standards and strengthen the visitor experience.

Mr. Surasak said, “Our priority is to ensure that Suvarnabhumi Airport serves as an international gateway that delivers a strong first impression. By strengthening existing coordination and accelerating practical improvements, we can manage rising passenger volumes more effectively and raise service standards. More efficient arrival and departure processes will contribute directly to the sustainable growth of Thailand’s tourism economy.”

The review brought together the Ministry of Transport, TAT, the Department of Tourism, the Tourist Police Bureau, the Immigration Bureau and Airports of Thailand. Building on established inter-agency coordination, the review assessed current operations, with agencies reaffirming their commitment to stronger data integration, more proactive management of pressure points and wider use of immigration technology.

The agencies will further strengthen the real-time exchange of flight schedules and passenger-volume data, enabling staffing levels to be adjusted more accurately throughout the day. This will support faster responses during peak periods and improve coordination across airport, immigration and tourism-related services.

In parallel, the respective agencies will continue to assess operational measures to address bottlenecks in areas where passenger volumes exceed existing capacity. These include temporary waiting areas, improved queue management and more efficient passenger movement through immigration and other high-traffic points.

Technology remains central to improving the visitor experience. Biometric identity verification will be expanded, while capacity at automated passport-control channels will be increased. These channels are currently available to eligible passport holders from Singapore and Hong Kong.

The second phase of the system is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Authorities will also consider extending eligibility to travellers from other lower-risk markets. The expanded automated-channel capacity is expected to reduce congestion in immigration areas by more than 50 per cent.

Following the review, Mr. Surasak inspected immigration operations and met frontline officers. The visit reinforced the government’s commitment to accelerating service improvements at Suvarnabhumi Airport and strengthening its role as an efficient international gateway.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “TAT is strengthening every stage of the visitor journey, from planning and reliable information to arrival, travel within Thailand, on-ground assistance and departure. This coordinated action at Suvarnabhumi Airport advances our Value over Volume direction and Partnership 360 approach by aligning public and private sector efforts to raise service quality, strengthen travel confidence and deliver a more seamless experience.”

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