Visitors to Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok's Ratchathewi District encounter the shrine of Thao Hiranya Phanasur within the hospital premises. Local residents know its history well and report personal miraculous experiences. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff show profound reverence, regularly seeking blessings before undertaking any task. Beyond medical matters, those facing various hardships—when not beyond karmic reach—report miraculous relief from disaster or success in their requests. The deity's fame has spread, drawing devotees from all directions daily.

Thao Hiranya Phanasur emerged during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama VI). "Hiranya" means silver or gold, while "Phanasur" combines "phana" (forest) and "asur" (demon), referring to a great forest spirit, also called "Thao Hiranya Hu"—"Hu" possibly from English "Who."

In 1906, while still Crown Prince, the future King Mongkut traveled through northern forests filled with dangers and diseases. When his entourage worried about threats, he reassured them, explaining that such journeys naturally attract protective deities and spirits who prevent harm to royalty and their companions.

During the journey, a senior official dreamed of a tall man named "Hiranya," a forest spirit of righteous conduct, offering protection. The Prince ordered offerings made in the forest, and meals were regularly divided as tribute. The journey proved entirely safe, with no illness or mishap.

On subsequent travels, the retinue performed ceremonies invoking this protective spirit, and many witnessed a tall, ancient-looking man accompanying the royal procession. News spread among regional governors, and veneration of Thao Hiranya Hu became widespread.

After ascending the throne as King Mongkut (Rama VI), he remembered this spirit fondly. In April 1911, he commissioned a small bronze statue (20 cm tall) dressed in ancient regalia with a ceremonial staff, naming it "Thao Hiranya Phanasur." Four such images were cast as the first edition. The King placed one on his white automobile "Napier."

Venerable Phra Kru Pibul Khana Rak, also known as Luang Pho Ding Khangkhsuvanno, was the former abbot of Wat Usupharam (Bang Wa) in Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province. He was born on March 14, 1877, at Bang Wa and was ordained at age 20 on April 10, 1897, at Wat Bang Wa's ordination hall under Phra Ajarn Dit Phromsaro of Wat Bang Samak. His monastic name Khangkhsuvanno means "one whose mind is cool like a river and strong like gold."

He was a senior monk known for strict discipline, profound compassion, and mastery of all Buddhist doctrines and teachings. His amulets became widely cherished among devotees and collectors across generations. He passed away peacefully on August 6, 1952, at age 75 with 55 years of monastic service.

His amulets gained tremendous popularity among collectors, particularly the first-edition copper image pendant created in 1881 during his 61st birthday merit-making ceremony, when he received the ecclesiastical title Phra Kru at the provincial level.

The amulet is an oval-shaped medallion with raised edges. The front features a portrait facing forward, surrounded by Thai script reading: "Phra Kru Pibul Khana Rak, Provincial Ecclesiastical Chief of Bang Pakong District, Wat Usupharam, Chachoengsao." Notable features include curved defects on the upper ear lobes, a cross mark on the neck, three fish-egg marks on the right cheek, and the lower left edge splits into two branches. The reverse side displays a yantra with Khmer characters "Mi Ma Na A U," with the year "B.E. 2481" at the bottom, where the "S" in the era mark has a crack extending upward. The left yantra border has a touched edge mark.

Legend speaks of his exceptional experiences, including stories of great compassion, miraculous protection, and steadfast virtue. Today, his amulets are increasingly rare and highly valuable.

Saturday, July 4, 2026 marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of Phra Kru Suk Kit Banhar, or Luang Pu Suk Sukpepo, the former abbot of Wat Pa Waai in Sing Buri Province, a venerable monk deeply revered by the people of Sing Buri.

Originally named Suk Nai Chang, he was born on Friday, June 14, 1929 at house number 71, moo 1, Rong Chang subdistrict, Phrom Buri district, Sing Buri Province, as the second of seven siblings. Though his family lived in poverty, he was cheerful, well-behaved, creative, and beloved by family and friends. He completed his compulsory education at his local school.

At age eight, his father passed away, leaving him orphaned. His mother entrusted him to Luang Pho Phiu Kandachato of Wat Pa Waai, who raised and educated him. During this time, Luang Pho Phiu taught him meditation and insight practices while he was still a layperson, instructing him to meditate each evening at 7 PM after finishing his homework.

At age 14, recognizing his interest in Buddhism, Luang Pho Phiu ordained him in 1943. He traveled by ferry to Wat Phi Si, approximately 25 kilometers away, a journey of about one hour, to study Buddhist texts under Phra Kru Phi Si (Luang Pho Suthee).

Upon turning 20, he took higher ordination at the Buddhist precinct of Wat Pa Waai on March 7, 1949, receiving the ecclesiastical name Sukpepo. Phra Kru Phrom Chariykun (Luang Pu Dee Thammapanyo) of Wat Chang Phrom Nakhon served as his preceptor, with Luang Pho Phiu as his instructor and Phra Adhikarn Saeng of Wat Phi Si as his witness. He remained at Wat Pa Waai, studying Buddhist scriptures and serving his teacher Luang Pho Phiu.

Learning of the reputation of Luang Pu Dee, whom Sing Buri residents recognized as an outstanding master teacher, he walked from Wat Pa Waai to pay respects and seek advanced Buddhist studies, eventually becoming highly proficient.

In administrative duties, he served as acting abbot in 1962, was formally appointed abbot of Wat Pa Waai in 1964, became an instructor in 1964, district sangha administrator in 1972, and preceptor in 1977.

For ecclesiastical rank, he was elevated to Phra Kru Sannya Bat third class with the title Phra Kru Suk Kit Banhar in 1978, and to second class in 1984.

Beyond his expertise in Buddhist texts and administration, he possessed remarkable development abilities. When appointed abbot in 1964, Wat Pa Waai had only four monastic huts. He subsequently undertook extensive construction and renovation projects, permanently restoring the ancient temple's structures, all achieved through genuine merit-making.

He was strict in monastic discipline, lived simply and contentedly, showed compassion, spoke little but with kindness, and was generous. He often taught: "One teaching from my teacher I shall never forget is the constant practice of meditation and mindfulness—strengthening and steadying the mind. When the mind is concentrated, everything becomes good."

Though famous for his auspicious amulets, he never boasted, instead continually teaching people to live with mindfulness.

He passed away from old age on July 4, 2021 at age 92, having been a monk for 72 years.

After touring international film festivals and selling distribution rights to over twenty countries worldwide, the Thai psychological thriller-drama 'Morte Cucina' is now being released for Thai audiences.

'Morte Cucina,' directed by Anucha Boonyawattana (Tom), features world-renowned cinematographer Christopher Doyle as director of photography. The cast includes Bella Thanatchaporn Bunsang as 'Saow' (the female lead), Kritsana Sriphumiset as 'Korn,' Napchai Chainam (Peter) as 'Doctor Arun,' and Tadanobu Asano as 'Katsu.'

The film tells the story of 'Saow' (Bella), a Bangkok waitress with a talent for traditional Thai cooking. One day, she unexpectedly encounters 'Korn' (Kritsana), a young man who deeply wounded her in the past. This encounter awakens long-buried resentment and triggers a revenge plot. She becomes the perfect housewife and dutiful spouse, preparing meals for him daily—but each dish carries death through carefully balanced ingredients based on knowledge of elemental properties, slowly destroying his health in cold calculation without relying on poisons.

Director Anucha revealed the film's concept: "In this film, Thai food is a main character. The idea came from that premise. I read a news story about a woman who killed her husband through food, but she used poison and got caught. So I thought, how could we kill someone without getting caught? I consulted with various chefs who explained there are ways to design it so he dies within a specific timeframe—they could create a menu for that."

Regarding casting, Anucha explained: "Casting has always been risky for me. I never feel completely confident. I have to talk with each actor individually. Bella said she was confident. Kritsana also said he was confident because he could internalize the character through the script. Peter—no need to mention him, I'm confident in him. When these people are together, it works. So I thought, let's take the risk. The result wasn't just confidence—they actually delivered."

When asked why they accepted the roles, Bella said: "Once I saw it was Phi Tom directing, there was no need to think—just whether he would choose me. I admit the script wasn't easy at first. I did my homework by talking extensively with Phi Tom and the casting director, which helped tremendously. The difficulty wasn't about being a chef, but the emotional complexity. The character's emotional world is completely different from my own, but we share one thing—determination."

Kritsana, who hasn't acted in over twenty years after becoming a professional chef, revealed: "As you know, I've been out of entertainment pursuing my culinary passion. Phi Tom's producer contacted me and told me this was a film about food. The moment I heard that word, I felt like a gift from heaven. When I actually started, the role challenged me greatly. I had to lose weight to 65kg, then gain to 75kg within a month and a half. This project transformed me in many ways, and working with Phi Tom felt like entering another world."

Finally, Peter Napchai, an experienced actor, stated: "For me, each new film is completely new and challenging. Working with Phi Tom..."

At 8:50 AM on July 3, 2569, at Parliament, Nattapong Ruangpanya, list-based MP and leader of the Democrat Party serving as opposition spokesperson, commented on corruption in local administration civil service exams under the Department of Local Administration. He noted that the secretary to Deputy PM Piphatchai Ratchakij recently resigned, raising questions about connections to the scandal.

Nattapong argued that authorities should focus on those who took the exam honestly and were affected by the controversy. He suggested the scandal may have originated from internal conflicts between rival civil service factions. "Both blue-line factions are in conflict with each other," he stated, adding that the issue surfaced due to these internal contradictions, ultimately harming innocent test-takers.

"I just received a complaint letter yesterday from honest test-takers," Nattapong said. "These candidates and their families had hopes of employment after passing. About 1,000 people are affected, and I believe there are many more honest individuals impacted by this situation."

He called on the government to review whether current measures unfairly harm innocent test-takers and suggested examining cases individually. Nattapong argued that if internal civil service conflicts hadn't surfaced, the government likely wouldn't have taken action. "I want the Prime Minister to demonstrate genuine anti-corruption efforts from within government itself, not just react to news that breaks publicly," he said.

When asked about Palang Pracharath's claim that the PM would seriously address the problem without targeting small-fry offenders, Nattapong countered that the PM, having served as Interior Minister multiple times, should have known such issues existed long within the ministry. He insisted that genuine commitment would require proactive action from day one, not reactive responses after internal scandals become public news. "The public is suffering because of this," he concluded, "and I don't believe there's sincere intent to fix corruption—only an attempt to cover up internal problems."