The book "Buddhailand: Kingdom of Faith and Modern Thai Temples" is written by Pinyaphan Patchanalavanya, published by Matichon Publishing House, and costs 330 baht. The book examines how Thai temples have become tourist attractions resembling amusement parks. It addresses this phenomenon through three main discussion topics: diverse Buddhist concepts and religious site construction; giant architectural structures and Buddhailand's formation before the 1997 economic crisis; and Thai-style spiritual entertainment parks after the 1997 crisis.

Nationally, the 1997 economic crisis marks a critical turning point that brought government tourism support policies and the development of roads accessing off-main-route areas. This made temples and Buddhailand-style religious sites more accessible by private vehicles, aligning with contemporary cultural changes influenced by popular culture conveyed through various media such as dramas, films, and cartoons from both Thailand and abroad. Different areas within temples resemble different zones of an amusement park. Temples reputed to bring good fortune attract crowds of people hoping for success in work and romance, filling these sites with visitors.

Across the country, the geographical locations of temples and religious sites vary. Sacred objects and structures are often linked to specific regions: Luang Por Srivichai in the North, Naga in the Northeast, Somdet Phra Phutthacharoen (Luang Por Sodh) in the Central region, and Jatukham Rammathep, Luang Por Tuat, and Ai Khai in the South. However, some sacred objects have expanded in popularity across regions, such as Somdet Phra Phutthacharoen, Luang Por Tuat, Ai Khai, and Naga. Certain sacred objects enjoy widespread popularity with no geographical limits, such as Guan Yin and Thao Wessuwan, which became extremely popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic and life stress from the pandemic marked a major turning point that brought significant changes to Buddhailand-style temples and religious sites.

Readers can find answers in this edition of Buddhailand.

Other book recommendations include "Religion: A History of Faith Among Humanity," translated by Sunantha Wannasin Bel from Richard Holloway's work, published by Bookscape, which presents world religious history vividly and reflects how religion overlaps with social, political, and cultural dimensions. The book costs 365 baht. Also recommended is "Jataka Tales: 50 Stories Teaching Children to Be Good People," compiled by MIS Editorial Team, which curates 50 jataka tales with moral lessons suitable for children.

On August 14, Tisana Choonhavan, a former Bangkok MP from the Thai Democrats Party, posted on Facebook announcing her resignation from the party. She stated that she has signed and submitted the formal resignation documents through an authorized representative.

Choonhavan said the decision was made carefully and was not impulsive. Throughout her political career, she has held that political position or party affiliation should never supersede principle, correctness, human dignity, and accountability to the public. When she determined that her path and the organization's could no longer move in the same direction, she chose to leave openly and honestly, which she considers the most appropriate and sincere course for herself, the organization, and the public that once trusted her.

She thanked all those who supported and worked with her over the years, and said she retains respect and goodwill for many colleagues and party members. Leaving the party does not mean abandoning her social responsibility. "I will continue as a free citizen to work on human rights, democracy, justice, and the public good as I always have, with or without political position or party affiliation. I will use my voice and platform to support what I believe is right," Choonhavan said.

Kasikornbank Research Center has raised its forecast for foreign tourists visiting Thailand in 2025 to 31.3 million people, with tourism revenue expected to reach 1.54 trillion baht. The research center indicates a slight improvement in the trend of international arrivals in the remaining months of 2025, provided Middle East tensions do not escalate to disrupt international travel and airspace remains open. Recovery in European and Middle Eastern tourist markets is expected to drive growth in the fourth quarter, traditionally a peak season for European travelers.

Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports shows that from January 1 to August 8, 2025, foreign tourist arrivals totaled 19.15 million, down 2.9% compared to the same period last year. Key headwinds include Middle East tensions, intensifying international tourism competition, and economic challenges in several countries affecting foreign travel plans.

However, Kasikornbank Research Center has upgraded its 2025 forecast to 31.36 million foreign tourists—a 4.9% decline from 2024—compared to its earlier estimate of just 30 million in April. This reflects better late-year recovery prospects than previously anticipated. Key support comes from European and Middle Eastern tourists, provided Middle East tensions do not escalate. Additionally, airfares on many routes are declining from conflict-driven peaks, though still above prior-year averages, while airlines are running promotions to stimulate travel.

Other factors expected to boost late-year tourism include global conferences and events in Thailand, such as the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026 and the Tomorrowland Thailand music festival, along with year-end holiday promotions.

However, the market faces multiple risks. Kasikornbank Research Center notes that the foreign tourist market remains fragile, particularly due to intensifying tourism competition and changing tourist behavior. Regional competitors like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia continue to attract growing numbers of foreign tourists. Thailand's key declining markets include South Korea, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. Indonesian tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2025 fell 23.2% year-on-year, partly due to rupiah depreciation—approximately 7% weaker against the baht as of August 5, 2025.

The South Korean market faces pressure from economic and stock market headwinds, with South Korean outbound travel declining 5.9% in June and July, preventing full recovery in arrivals to Thailand. Additionally, advance flight bookings to Thailand for August through November 2025, as of July 31, declined 2.1% from projections on July 16, reflecting market uncertainty. Most flight reductions are in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly from India, Indonesia, and South Korea.

Foreign tourist revenue in 2025 is forecast at approximately 1.54 trillion baht, down 3.1% from the prior year, while average spending per person per trip is estimated at around 49,000 baht, up 2% from 2024. Overall spending patterns remain relatively stable.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 marks the 156th death anniversary of Luang Por Sam Inthasuvanno, the former abbot of Talad Mai Temple in Wisetchai District, Ang Thong Province. A highly respected scholar of ancient medicine and keeper of sacred amulet-making traditions throughout the Mae Nam Noi basin, he was born on August 15, 1870 at Ban Lak Khon in Huay Khan Lhaen Subdistrict, the son of Jeen Seung and In Sae Lee. He took the surname Seesuwan and had three siblings.

During his youth, he studied at Talad Mai Temple and became literate. At age 24, he was ordained on July 15, 1895, with Phra Athikar Dee of Fang Temple serving as his preceptor. After spending only two rains-retreats at Talad Mai, he traveled to study Pali at Rakbang Kosit Aram Temple in Thonburi, then moved to Saroitong Temple in Bang Sue to pursue primary education, successfully completing three years of studies.

Phra Ajarn Prem, the head teacher at Saroitong Temple, recognized his diligence and appointed him as a teaching assistant. In 1900, he returned to Talad Mai Temple, concerned about the aging abbot Luang Por Kui. When his predecessor later transmitted ancient medical knowledge to him, he studied for three rains-retreats before Luang Por Kui passed away, after which he succeeded him as abbot.

As abbot, he began treating patients using the traditional medicine he had learned, earning wide renown for his healing success. However, when the Buddhist clergy issued orders forbidding monks from practicing as traditional doctors, and as he grew elderly, he ceased patient treatment. Yet villagers continued to seek his remedies; when he had no prepared medicine, he would write down formulas for them to purchase themselves. His compassion for his community was genuine, and to this day, traditional medicine shops still prepare remedies according to his teachings.

Beyond medicine, he created protective amulets—sacred objects that disciples kept as reminders. He crafted them every Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday, pausing only on Buddhist holy days. The number created each day matched that day's numerical significance: six on Sunday, eight on Tuesday, ten on Saturday. The ritual involved a simple altar, placing cowrie shells on a tray with mercury and lead, invoking the Buddha and celestial and earthly deities for permission. He would chant incantations to transmute minerals, pour mercury into the amulet, seal it with lead, recite protective chants, cover it with aluminum foil, then meditate and consecrate it while simultaneously creating protective cloth talismans.

Today, Luang Por Sam's protective amulets have become increasingly rare and difficult to find. He was a celebrated teacher of Ang Thong, unmatched in esoteric knowledge, said to have attained high meditative states and to possess clairvoyant insight into future events. His direct disciples included Luang Por Kham of Pohplam Temple, Luang Por Thong Bai of Obthom Temple, Luang Por Mee of Muang Kan Temple, and Phra Somphun Pramesak, abbot of Talad Mai Temple.

Luang Por Sam began declining in health from his 93rd year. He passed away peacefully on January 15, 1966, at the age of 94, having served as abbot of Talad Mai Temple for 63 years.

On August 14, Police Lieutenant Somjet Tarawichit of the Bang Nam Prio Police Station received a report of a death inside a rental room in Tambon Sala Daeng, Amphoe Bang Nam Prio, Chachoengsao Province. Medical staff from Bang Nam Prio Hospital and rescue workers were dispatched to investigate.

Inside the single-storey rental room, officers found the body of Thiradech, 19, lying face down in the rear section, wearing only shorts. He had a rope tied around his neck, and a severed rope was found attached to the roof above. Officers collected evidence from the scene.

According to Surasit, 28, a friend of the deceased, he received a call from the victim's girlfriend asking him to check on her boyfriend after losing contact with him. Surasit rode his motorcycle to the rental room and knocked several times without answer. He then called the victim's mother, and together they looked through a rear window where they discovered the body lying face down. Police were immediately notified.

The victim's girlfriend, Sirigket, 20, revealed that the last time she could reach him was around 5 pm the previous evening, when he sent her a photo of a rope before going unresponsive. She attempted to call back multiple times but could not reach him. The next morning, she tried calling again without success, and contacted the victim's friend to check on him at the rental room, where they discovered he had already died.

The girlfriend disclosed that the victim had previously threatened to harm himself on multiple occasions and expressed a desire to die. She explained that their recent argument stemmed from a fishing trip she was planning. She had refused to let him ride his motorcycle alongside hers, insisting they travel separately. This refusal made him jealous and suspicious, believing she might have a new boyfriend.

Initially, police and the medical examiner transferred the victim's body to Bang Nam Prio Hospital for safekeeping. His mother and relatives sat grieving outside the room before preparations began to return the body to his birthplace for funeral rites.

A 24-year-old entertainment worker in Udon Thani has filed a complaint with Muang Udon Thani Police after being cheated out of 2,500 baht in wages. According to her account, a male client hired her on August 13 at 2 p.m. for standard companionship services, with the first round paid in full without incident. Around midnight, the same client contacted her again, saying he was heartbroken over a recent breakup and asking her to accompany him to an entertainment venue as a friend. Feeling sympathetic and believing it was legitimate work, she drove her personal vehicle to pick him up from his accommodation and invited a female friend to help.

Throughout the night, the woman performed her duties completely—talking, comforting, serving drinks, dancing, and creating a relaxing atmosphere to help him recover from his disappointment. By 4-5 a.m., she drove him back to his lodging. During the farewell, he paid her friend 1,000 baht but left the woman's owed 2,500 baht unpaid. When she asked for the money immediately, he claimed to be drunk and asked her to provide her bank account number, promising to transfer it later. She did so and received only a brief "OK" message before he became uncontactable. Despite numerous attempts to call, he never answered.

The woman acknowledged her disappointment, explaining that entertainment work is not as easy as people assume—it requires lost sleep and significant energy. She was motivated to give her full effort because she believed the client was genuinely struggling with heartbreak and appeared to have a stable engineering profession. "We work just like anyone else, we get tired, we lose sleep. All we're asking for is the money we earned," she said with regret. However, she emphasized that she does not wish harm upon the client; she simply wants him to contact her and settle the outstanding payment so the matter can be resolved fairly.