On Friday, June 19, 2026, His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyavongsagatanyana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, received Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Interior Minister, and the Cabinet to pay formal respects at the opening ceremony celebrating his 99th birthday on June 26, 2026, held at Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram Temple in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.

The Prime Minister then presided over the opening of the exhibition "13 Cycles of Rajabophit: Royal Patronage of Faith," commemorating the Supreme Patriarch's 99th birthday and honoring the legacy and contributions of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the former royal patroness of the temple.

The event was organized jointly by the Prime Minister's Office, Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram Temple, and related agencies. Attendees included government officials, clergy, government employees, students, and Buddhists from across the country.

The celebration features multiple exhibitions and activities, including a commemorative exhibition highlighting Princess Bajrakitiyabha's biography, achievements, and contributions to the temple; and an exhibition titled "99 Years of Auspicious Dharmic Virtue" presenting the history of the temple, its past abbots, and the Supreme Patriarch's life and work, reflecting the interconnection between religious institutions, the Thai monarchy, and society.

The program also includes temple tours of Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram, a royal first-class temple of the Fifth and Seventh Reigns, featuring historical, architectural, and artistic significance. Additional highlights include light, color, and projection mapping displays inside the main stupa titled "Rattanakosin Faith Under Monastic Merit," cultural performances, local wisdom demonstrations, and academic seminars by experts discussing religion, history, and contemporary society.

Luang Pho Phut Sutatto, also known as Phra Ratchaouthaikavi, was the former provincial sangha leader of Uthai Thani and abbot of Wat Mani Sathit Kapittharam (Thung Kaew) in Muang District, Uthai Thani Province. He was originally named Phut Chaing-im and was born on December 9, 1896, at Ban Nong Tao in Thung Yai Subdistrict, Muang District, Uthai Thani Province. He ordained on March 6, 1915, at Wat Thung Kaew's ordination precinct under Phra Sunthormuni, receiving the monastic name Sutatto. In his ecclesiastical career, he became abbot of Wat Thung Kaew in 1928, deputy provincial sangha leader of Uthai Thani in 1933 while serving as a preceptor, and provincial sangha leader in 1935. In 1957, he received royal promotion to the rank of Phra Ratchakana, titled Phra Ratchaouthaikavi. He passed away peacefully on April 24, 1990, in his residence at the age of 95 with 75 years of monastic life.

On December 9, 1957, commemorating Luang Pho Phut's 78th birthday, his disciples commissioned an auspicious amulet in the form of an oval medal. A total of 10,319 medals were cast: 318 in metallic alloy and 10,000 in copper, distributed as commemorative keepsakes.

The medal features an oval shape with a bail loop. The obverse displays a raised half-figure centered on the medal with a double border, with Thai script below reading "Phra Ratchaouthaikavi (Phut)" framed by decorative flame motifs. The reverse bears a single border with a front-facing tiger-striped yantra in the center containing five core mantric syllables representing compassion, lion-heart virtues, the 108 principles, the four elements, and the Triple Gem. An ornate Buddha yantra is framed by eight-pointed flame motifs, with Thai script above stating "In Commemoration of 78th Birthday" separated by lotus flowers, and below reading "9 December 2516" (1973).

Venerable Buddhist masters who participated in the consecration ceremony included Luang Pho Phut of Wat Thung Kaew, Luang Pho Swaang of Wat Tha Phutra, Luang Pho Som of Wat Tap Tan, Luang Pho Nai of Wat Bosat Khong Thanu, Luang Pho Juan of Wat Nong Sum, Luang Pho Prasit of Wat Wang Ma, and Luang Pho Pleng of Wat Nong Yai Thai, among others. Devotees who learned of his virtues greatly desired to possess these medals as treasured amulets for veneration and spiritual merit.

A spiritual teaching warns that clinging to things causes suffering, introducing a feature on rare Buddhist amulets cherished by collectors. Luang Pho Ama, the first abbot of Wat Ketu Noi Ampawan in Ratchaburi, gained widespread renown in the early Rama V period. His first-edition amulet coins, cast in 1919 as funeral merit-making tokens, are oval-shaped with ancient loop fittings and bear Khmer script identifying him as Isiditinno. Despite being stationary coins, they remain highly popular among collectors.

Wat Prachasamamakkhitham received permission to create commemoration coins for Luang Pu Prapai Akkhathamma, former abbot of Wat Pa Sri Prapai Vanaram in Nakhon Phanom, in 2016. The oval coins with loop fittings feature his image and help fund the Phon Sawaeng Stupa. The reverse displays the stupa amid rays of light with celestial figures, bearing inscriptions commemorating its construction.

Luang Pho Thob Thammapañño of Wat Phra Phutthbat Chondaen in Phetchabun is honored by residents through his rare 94th anniversary coins cast in 1974 by villagers led by Luang Pho Boon of Wat Bosat Phothitong. These three-centimeter oval coins feature his half-length image on the obverse and a five-pointed yantra on the reverse.

Luang Pho Rung Kangkasuvanno, former abbot of Wat Nong Si Nuan in Nakhon Sawan, was commemorated through the Golden Elephant amulet coins created in 1979. The distinctive corn-kernel shaped coins feature his image and an elephant walking majestically on the reverse, making them must-haves for serious amulet collectors.

TV personalities Tai Ekpantham and Tabtim Angyrin appeared at the launch event for Welcome Home: A Human Travel Documentary Series at Happy Vibes Zpell at Future Park to introduce their new collaborative project. The couple shared insights into their experience working together and revealed their future plans for both their relationship and business ventures.

This marks the first time the pair have worked on a series together. Tai explained that while they hosted a game show called "Route to Wealth" about 15-16 years ago, they have never produced and hosted a project together until now. Tabtim serves as a co-producer and brainstormed the concept alongside Tai, who acts as both producer and host.

The show is defined as a "Human Travel Documentary" that explores the lives and stories of different people and ethnic groups through travel, much like getting to know characters in a drama series but with real-life subjects. Tai acknowledged that the workload is demanding compared to simply hosting as a guest. Every detail must be carefully captured and presented, requiring constant decision-making and oversight.

Tabtim noted that what makes this trip special is that they invited close friends and family to join them, creating a more relaxed atmosphere that doesn't feel entirely like work, allowing them quality time together while exploring destinations.

When asked about conflicts, Tai humorously admitted they do bicker, with Tai sometimes questioning whether certain production elements are necessary when they just want to travel for fun. However, Tabtim handles these moments by simply dragging Tai along (laughing). Despite the challenges of working together, the couple view this project as an important step in building their future as a team.

Phra Khru Tham Sakhon, known as Luang Pu Krab Yanawatthano, served as the former abbot of Wat Krok Krak in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, and as head of Tambon Mahachai Sangha District 2. He was deeply revered by local residents for his scholarly knowledge of Buddhist teachings. Born January 13, 1893, as Krab Charoen Suk, he was the son of Khrab and Loey Khai Muan. He was ordained at Wat Raatchrang in Mueang District on March 12, 1913, with Phra Khru Samut Kunakorn as his preceptor and received the monastic name Yanawatthano.

After completing his monastic studies at Wat Raatchrang, he transferred to Wat Krok Krak, where he was appointed abbot in 1920. He undertook extensive temple development projects and was appointed head of Tambon Mahachai Sangha District 2 in 1942. In 1970, he received royal promotion to the rank of Phra Khru.

Wat Krok Krak is believed to be an ancient temple dating back centuries. It was formally established around 1818 and received official monastic ordination grounds in 1880 during the reign of King Rama II. The temple's wooden teak ordination hall features distinctive Chinese architectural elements, reflecting the historical Chinese settlement in the area. King Rama V's royal barge stopped at the temple on July 30, 1905, during a riverine tour.

The temple is home to a sacred Buddha image called "Luang Pu Pu," revered as a protective spirit for residents of the Mahajai River basin for generations. The image is notably distinguished by wearing dark glasses. Both the original Buddha image and a cast statue of Luang Pu Krab wear black-framed spectacles, along with other modern eyewear styles.

According to the current abbot, Phra Khru Wisutthisitthikhun, the tradition of offering glasses to the Buddha image originated nearly a century ago when a widespread eye infection epidemic struck the community. Villagers made votive offerings asking for recovery from the disease, and miraculously, the entire village was healed. Grateful residents then rushed to apply gold leaf to the Buddha's eyes as an offering of gratitude. However, fearing damage to the ancient image, Luang Pu Krab ingeniously placed eyeglasses over the eyes instead—a practice devotees have followed ever since.

Once, a thief attempted to drill through the Buddha's torso. Upon discovering this, Luang Pu Krab mixed gold with rubber to seal the hole and performed a rededication ceremony on the 15th waning moon day of the first lunar month. This date now marks the annual "Saiyid Luang Pu Pu Day," celebrated with free live music and entertainment throughout the temple grounds each year.

Terrestrial orchids are gaining increasing attention among collectors and commercial markets alike, thanks to their distinctive flower shapes, unique colors, and hardiness in diverse growing conditions.

Khun Kla Chanintree Songsueang, a Chiang Mai farmer, has seriously developed terrestrial orchid cultivation, starting from a passion for orchids during university that evolved into a private business after graduation. Through years of study and collecting various orchid species, he discovered his true calling: terrestrial orchids, a group with strong potential for both breeding development and long-term market viability.

The core of Khun Kla's terrestrial orchid garden operation is in-farm hybridization, where he selects parent plants with distinctive characteristics and crosses them according to his vision and goals. Through continuous experimentation across multiple generations, he has developed new plants that satisfy both aesthetic and cultivation requirements. The resulting plants excel in flower production, vibrant colors, well-shaped petals, balanced plant form, easy maintenance, and minimal leaf drop—qualities highly valued by the market.

"I consider it a success to have developed plants that meet my original vision," Khun Kla said. "But one element I've lost is the petal markings. Initially they were distinct, but in this generation only some plants have markings, and they're not as well-defined as in earlier generations."

He explained that his future goal is to develop larger flowers with more prominent petal markings while maintaining the plant's ease of care and market appeal. Despite blooming only once yearly between December and January, the orchids remain commercially viable.

Once the terrestrial orchid varieties are stable and meet desired characteristics, Khun Kla explained that the next step is propagation through tissue culture to produce sufficient plants for market demand. This begins by removing plants from laboratory bottles after acclimating them to sunlight for about a week.

When removing seedlings from culture bottles, roots must be thoroughly cleaned and growing media removed completely. The plants are then soaked in antifungal solution for 4-5 minutes before planting in trays using finely chopped coconut husk as growing medium, with roots covered firmly.

During the care phase, plants are watered daily and fertilized with pesticide and insecticide spray every 7 days or every other week. This maintenance period lasts approximately 8 months to 1 year before seedlings can be moved to 4-inch pots. After another year of care, the young plants begin flowering and are ready for sale.

Regarding pests and diseases, rot and scale insects are the main problems in terrestrial orchids. These can be controlled through regular field monitoring and consistent application of commonly available pesticides.

On marketing, Khun Kla believes orchids remain a viable commercial crop even during economic downturns, as buyers have specific preferences and tend to make repeat purchases, especially for pure-strain orchids—the garden's core strength. Customer preferences vary by country; some markets prefer orchids with full blooms and striking flowers. Variety development must align with these market demands.

"When cultivating orchids, I don't initially see myself as a full-fledged businessman," he reflected. "Rather, I started by doing what I love. Once I've developed plants to my satisfaction, I then seek out markets and customer groups that appreciate them."