A black Chevrolet pickup truck lost control and crashed into a construction barrier before striking a streetlight in the center median on the Chiang Mai–Hot Road near Samoeng intersection in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai at 1:00 p.m. on July 25, 2025. Investigation officers from Hang Dong Police Station responded to the scene along with emergency rescue personnel. The driver, a male, reported that he sneezed while driving, which caused him to lose control. He sustained minor chest injuries. A second pickup truck traveling behind struck the barrier that had bounced into the roadway, sustaining minor damage with no further injuries reported. Police are using this incident as a cautionary reminder that accidents can occur in a split second from unexpected causes such as sneezing or loss of road focus. Drivers are advised to exercise caution, maintain safe distances from vehicles ahead, and pull over at a safe location if they feel unfit to continue driving.

King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) is hosting the fourth edition of its "KMITL Team Meet & Talk" event to communicate institutional direction, foster participation, and gather input from all segments of the KMITL community—students, staff, and alumni—to collectively chart the institution's sustainable future development. The event will be held at the Activity Area in Building A, Level 1 of the KMITL Lifelong Learning Center (KLLC).

Associate Professor Dr. Komsarn Malisi, KMITL Rector, stated that driving a true innovation university requires collaboration from all sectors, not just one department. Such initiatives are integral to building a complete innovation ecosystem with an open environment that promotes knowledge exchange, diverse perspectives, and integration of knowledge, research, and technology—ultimately leading to innovations addressing industry needs and creating tangible social benefit.

KMLTL has achieved notable international progress, ranking fifth nationally in the THE World University Rankings 2026 Asia (up from eighth in 2025), placing it in the 401-500 range across Asia and 290th in ASEAN. The institution also ranks first in research environment and productivity among Thailand's technology-driven universities. In the 2025 TTU survey, KMITL topped three popular fields: architecture, logistics, and agricultural technology. The 2568 academic year welcomed 9,754 new students (up 13.4 percent), with graduate employment reaching 86.19 percent, reflecting strong industry alignment.

KMLTL is expanding internationally with 828 foreign students from over 44 countries, targeting 900 in the near future through partnerships with leading overseas universities. The institution is enhancing student readiness through AI and coding curricula from first year, upgrading learning spaces, implementing ERP and data management systems, and strengthening cybersecurity. Looking ahead, KMITL will host KMITL EXPO 2026 from September 1-6, 2569, themed "From Lab to Life," commemorating the institution's 66th founding anniversary.

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Somdej Phra Phutthacharn (Snit Chuan Panyyo), a member of the Mahatherasangha Council, chief of the Eastern ecclesiastical district, and abbot of Wat Trimitviharn, presided over the monastic side of a Buddhist blessing ceremony commemorating the 94th anniversary of the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led the lay participants. Deputy Prime Ministers, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, heads of state agencies, state enterprises, and representatives from public and private sectors participated in the ceremony at the Santitham Building outside Government House.

Secretary-General Yupa Tavivatchakij and Prime Minister's Office administrative staff welcomed delegations from participating organizations who contributed to the office's Disaster Relief Fund. June 28 marks the office's founding anniversary, and 2026 marked the 94th anniversary with the Office of the Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister's Secretariat, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Public Relations Department as main organizers.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister lit incense and candles in homage to the Triple Gem and offered robes to ten monks, followed by monks bestowing precepts. The Prime Minister then made merit offerings before a statue of Rama I and offered ten sets of robes. After monks chanted blessings and the Prime Minister poured water in the traditional merit-sharing ritual, officials performed further merit-making ceremonies before monks chanted Buddhist blessings for auspiciousness.

The Prime Minister and cabinet members then offered alms and food to the monks, who offered their blessings in return. The Prime Minister poured water to share merit and received blessed water before paying respects to the Triple Gem and the presiding monk. The office also invited Somdej Phra Maharajmongkhon, assistant abbot of Wat Trimitviharn and a council member, to sprinkle blessed water throughout the office buildings for good fortune.

Participants celebrated the 94th anniversary and contributed to the Disaster Relief Fund to assist disaster victims across the country. The Prime Minister's Office presented a commemorative publication titled "Prime Minister's Office Year 94" detailing the organization's history, vision, mission, structure, and major accomplishments.

The 94th anniversary celebration reflected strong cooperation between the Prime Minister's Office and all participating sectors in government operations, and demonstrated commitment to serving the welfare and benefit of the Thai people and nation.

Phra Kru Phiphitdhammabhirom, known as Luang Pho Yan Thitibanyo, was the former abbot of Wat Ban Khong in Potharam District, Ratchaburi Province, and is celebrated as the originator of the famous turtle amulet tradition of the Mae Klong River basin. He was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1888, in Ban Khong and studied at the local temple until completing fourth-grade primary education before ordaining as a novice and continuing his studies at Wat Ban Khong for three years. At age 20, he received full monastic ordination in 1908 under Phra Akhara Pad at Wat Ban Khong, where he practiced diligently, mastering the chanting of the Patimokkha by his first vassa. In his third vassa, he studied the Khmer language, translated the Patimokkha, and hand-copied sacred texts including ancient Khmer manuscripts and Buddhist scriptures. In his fourth vassa, he left Wat Ban Khong to practice at other temples, eventually arriving at Wat Sarasai in Nakhon Pathom, where he studied under another abbot for two years.

In 1914, he departed to practice at other locations, traveling north and settling at the abandoned Wat Somobat in Chai Nat Province, where villagers invited him to become the temple's abbot for four years. In 1918, he returned to Wat Ban Khong and assisted in repairs under Phra Akhara Chuen. Following Phra Akhara Chuen's death in 1926, he became the abbot of Wat Ban Khong and oversaw six temples in the Potharam District administrative area. He established a school for Buddhist studies with permanent instructors, maintained strict daily practice, and provided guidance to both monastics and laypeople. In 1932, he was officially appointed as district chief monk. He personally oversaw the construction of a bell tower using brick and mortar, and in 1933, he led the community in building a new monastic residence with tiled roofing. In 1940, he constructed a school building, completed in 1941 during World War II. In 1942, he received the ecclesiastical rank of Upachaya. In 1954, he was granted a royal promotion to the rank of Phra Kru with the title Phra Kru Phiphitdhammabhirom. In 1963, he founded Wat Ban Khong School with a cornerstone ceremony on March 2, 1963, which has since developed into the Potharam Technical College and continues to serve students in Potharam District. He passed away on June 21, 1965, at the age of 78, having completed 57 vassas. While he created many types of amulets including coins, serpent-king medallions, and lockets, his most renowned and widely recognized creation remains the "turtle amulet."

As the rainy season arrives and the landscape turns verdant, travelers are setting their sights on Thaiton National Park in Chaiyaphum Province. The park recently unveiled a striking new landmark for visitors: the "Heavenly Navel," a terracotta sculpture of a celestial lotus flower created by students from the borderless classroom "Returning Home." Inspired by the misty beauty and vibrant water lilies that bloom throughout Thaiton National Park, the sculpture embodies their wisdom and dedication.

Governor Anant Nakaniyon of Chaiyaphum and Thaiton National Park Director Kanthanaph Duangklang jointly opened the 2025 water lily season on July 15, introducing the new Heavenly Navel landmark. Visitors should experience this spot firsthand, as it carries a sacred belief: "Step on it and you must return to visit." This is nature's promise that you will one day return to enjoy the misty mornings and heavenly lotus fields again.

The simple ritual is easy to follow: leave your footprint on the Heavenly Navel, toss a coin, and make a heartfelt wish. Those who do are believed to encounter only happiness and fulfilled hopes in life.

Beyond this highlight, Thaiton National Park welcomes visitors to admire the blooming water lilies against a backdrop of white mist and lush forest. The park is unique in Thailand as the only place where two varieties of these flowers bloom together in one area: the purple-pink Heavenly Lotus and the rare white Devata Apsara Lotus, scattered beautifully among the rocks.

The park offers a 4-kilometer nature trail passing through four water lily fields, with Heavenly Lotus Field 1 being the most densely and beautifully covered. Adventurous visitors can test their courage at Hamhod Cliff, a narrow rocky outcrop jutting into the air above a deep valley at 864 meters above sea level, offering stunning 360-degree panoramic views.

Further on, Phaomuang Cliff lies about 10 kilometers from park headquarters—a 3-kilometer sandstone ridge along the western crest of Phang Hae mountain range, standing 700–908 meters above sea level. It overlooks Phadetchoem Subdistrict and the Phaya Fao mountains separating Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun provinces. It is also a popular camping spot where visitors can stargaze at night and wake to stunning sunrises.

Nearby, Watchstars Cliff sits at the highest point of the Phang Hae range, offering beautiful panoramic views and serving as another excellent cliff-edge viewpoint.