"Practice meditation through letting go, not through craving," a teaching from Luang Pho Cha Subhadda of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. Somdet Phra Sangharaja Krom Luang Chin Wor Siri Watthan, the 11th Sangharaja of Bangkok, was appointed in 1922 during the reign of King Mongkut. His first-edition medal was created in 1923 to commemorate his 65th birthday, with approximately 1,000 pieces cast. The medal measures 2.6 by 3.3 centimeters, featuring the abbreviated initials "C.S." on the front with decorative phoenix motifs and a radiant halo, while the reverse bears a four-line Khmer incantation and the years 1902–1923.

Luang Pu Sai Kemthammo, the revered abbot of Wat Pa Phrom Viharn in Nong Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, rarely commissioned amulets despite his status. His most notable creation was the "water drop medal" of 1979, which features his seated meditation image on the obverse and ritual implements on the reverse, now becoming increasingly rare.

Luang Pu Song Gunthammo of Wat Ban Sai in Lopburi commissioned the "prosperity medal quarter 57" to raise funds for temple restoration. The oval-shaped medal features a raised half-figure image on the front and a yantra of 16 deities on the reverse, inscribed with the temple name and location.

Luang Pho Maha Bodhi Yamasangvaro, former abbot of Wat Khlong Morn in Chainat Province, cast an ancient-style brass medal in 1988 as a memorial when constructing a hall dedicated to his teacher. The medal features a spade-shaped profile with a seated figure and flat reverse, blessed throughout a complete quarter with the mantra "Buddham Vom Lok" followed by "Itipiso." This rare medal was produced in limited quantities.

Phra Kru Srutsdi Sikhhathorn, or Luang Pho Heed Chanthasaro, was a distinguished Buddhist monk at Wat Phleung in Ratchaburi province. Born in 1865 to parents Chim and Kim Sukontham in Wat Phleung subdistrict, he was the eldest of seven siblings in a gardening family. He took monastic vows in 1902 and devoted himself to studying Vipassana meditation and Buddhist doctrine under his teacher Luang Pho Phlang. When his teacher passed away, the villagers requested that he become the abbot, a position he accepted in 1917 and held throughout his life.

During his tenure, Luang Pho Heed worked to develop the temple and uplift the spiritual conduct of the community. Recognizing that local children had nowhere to study except under the temple eaves, he began construction of a public school in 1925 by selling his own land. When funds proved scarce, he obtained royal permission from King Rama VI to fundraise, ultimately collecting 10,932.30 baht—largely from donors in Suphan Buri province—and completing the school, named Wat Phleung School (Heed Sradtha Prachanukul), on January 1, 1934.

After his death, local residents sought the original royal petition he had used for fundraising, intending to have it made into an amulet. One petition was discovered in an old bell chest, bearing the royal inscription granting permission for Phra Atcharn Heed to raise funds for the school. The document featured three corner yantras and three Khmer characters.

In 1934, in recognition of his virtues and abilities, Luang Pho Heed was appointed head of the Sangha assembly at Wat Phleung and received the ecclesiastical title Phra Kru Srutsdi Sikhhathorn on January 16, 1934. He died of old age in 1947 at the age of 82 and in his 45th year as a monk, deeply mourned by the community.

During his lifetime, Luang Pho Heed created many amulets and talismans, but the most famous were the first-edition coins. Unlike some revered monks who produced portrait coins during their lives, he did not create portrait coins; his sacred objects were primarily amulets and talismans. The first-edition coins were produced after his death in 1947 as memorials for those who attended his funeral.

Thailand's underwater hockey teams for athletes under 15 and under 19 have successfully departed for Indonesia to compete in the 2026 CMAS Asian Championship Underwater Hockey, scheduled for August 5–9, 2026 in Cisarua, Bogor, under the endorsement of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) and the Indonesian Diving Sports Association.

On the morning of August 2, the athletes and coaching staff departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport via Thai Airways flight TG433, heading to Indonesia with full determination and readiness for Asia's championship competition. The Thai Diving Sports Association has entered a total of 22 athletes: 11 in the U15 division and 12 in the U19 division, all selected and trained intensively over several months.

Beyond sending competitors, the Thai Diving Sports Association also dispatched three referees—Jetanat Luangamrsakdi, Nichaphat Muksinthu, and Nithichote Rueangpanich—to undertake Referee Level 2 training to elevate Thailand's underwater hockey standards to international benchmarks.

The coaching staff comprises Singapore-based head coach Mr. Vincent Low, Mr. Martin Keith, Khao Kwanyu Wanikar, team manager Sila Supa Vannasutti, and assistant manager Buarrat Nulpan.

Head coach Vincent Low revealed that the team has trained continuously for several months, with all athletes showing excellent progress and readiness for competition. The goal is to secure a medal or at minimum finish in the top four, while maintaining a pressure-free environment so athletes can perform at their best and enjoy the competition.

The official opening ceremony will be held in the morning of August 5, with matches beginning in the afternoon. Thailand's U19 team will face Singapore U19 in their opening fixture.

This participation in the Asian championship represents another important milestone for young Thai underwater hockey athletes to gain international experience, develop their potential for world-level competition, and bring pride to Thailand.

On August 2, 2025, a water barrier on the Pasak River in Lomsak District, Phetchabun Province, failed overnight, flooding homes in villages 7 and 8 of Tambon Tal Diaw. The powerful water current destroyed part of the sandbag embankment, causing water to surge rapidly into downstream areas. Affected communities include Ban Rai and the vicinity of Thung Chan Samut Temple, with over 500 households inundated.

Prajit Sukwattana, 46, head of the Sawang Mongkol Sathanathram Association in Lomsak District, reported that heavy and continuous rains in the upstream areas of the Pasak River caused floodwaters to exceed the critical measurement point S.33 at Ban Hai Yong. The floodwaters quickly overwhelmed agricultural lands and residential areas, particularly in Ban Wang Muang village 8 and Ban Wang Khon village 1 in Tambon Tadkloy, Lomsak District.

Rescue teams, local administration, and relevant agencies mobilized personnel to assist residents, delivering supplies and establishing aid stations in dangerous areas. This marks the second major flood event in Lomsak District this year. Water from the upstream district flowed into Lomsak Town and began overflowing embankments on August 1, causing some localized flooding but without significant economic impact. Water levels have since begun to recede gradually.

In Tambon Tal Diaw, water erosion breached the embankment in several sections, causing the Pasak River to surge into homes overnight with flood depths reaching approximately one foot. Roads remain passable, and volunteer rescue teams from the Sawang Mongkol Sathanathram Association maintain 24-hour surveillance and readiness. As rainfall in upstream areas has decreased significantly, no new water is entering the system, and flood levels are continuously declining across multiple locations with normal traffic resuming.

As Thai society emphasizes academic performance, success, and online image, many children are growing up with invisible psychological wounds from remarks that adults or peers dismiss as mere joking. For children, such comments can mark the beginning of lost confidence, diminished self-worth, and eroded joy in life.

Digital-age bullying does not end at school but follows children everywhere through messages, comments, and social media 24 hours a day, becoming a silent crisis threatening the mental health of Thai children and adolescents continuously.

Dr. Pranee Pavincana, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Rama IX Hospital, states that many still view bullying as harmless teasing or normal childhood behavior, but from a mental health perspective, bullying is a form of violence that inflicts psychological wounds as serious as physical harm, and sometimes these effects stay with children for life.

Currently, many children affected by bullying have developed mental health issues and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and self-harm behaviors, with continuously rising trends.

Bullying has become increasingly complex and diverse, divided into five main forms: physical bullying such as hitting, slapping, kicking, or injuring; verbal bullying such as mocking, ridicule, sarcasm, or insults; psychological and relational bullying such as exclusion, ignoring, or making someone feel invisible; property bullying such as hiding, stealing, or destroying belongings; and cyberbullying, which is currently an especially concerning problem.

Dr. Pranee notes that modern bullying is more severe and dangerous than in the past, especially cyberbullying involving doctored images of children, leaked embarrassing videos, spreading rumors, or mobilizing large numbers of people to attack through social media, causing children's psychological state to be repeatedly shaken each time such content is shared or forwarded.

When accumulated pain becomes overwhelming, children may begin showing mental health warning signs including sadness, stress, anxiety, unusual irritability, social withdrawal, increased phone use, crying while using devices, school refusal, rejecting family communication, or increased aggressive behavior. In some cases, children may begin self-harm.

Dr. Pranee states that solving the bullying problem requires cooperation from all sectors including family, school, and society. Schools should have serious zero-tolerance policies toward all forms of bullying. Addressing bullying is not about finding fault but about stopping cycles of violence so no child becomes a victim or grows up perpetuating violence against others. Meanwhile, help should cover both victims and perpetrators, as many bullying children are themselves facing family problems, daily violence, or untreated mental health issues.

The most important factor in protecting children from bullying is building good family relationships and fostering self-esteem in children from a young age. Children with strong self-esteem and confidence have good psychological resilience. Sometimes just a few words can destroy a child's future, while listening with understanding even once may heal a child's heart for life.

Boy Jetinutt Saisingha, producer and director of Wayupatth Productions, marked an auspicious moment at 09.09 a.m. to launch the camera for "Jong Dang – The Urban Khon," a series dedicated to preserving Thai cultural heritage through a contemporary perspective. This marks an important milestone for Thai entertainment in bringing valued cultural arts to younger generations. The ceremony was held at the courtyard in front of Ganesha at Salaya College of Dramatic Arts, surrounded by a sacred atmosphere and the essence of Thai khon performance art.

The event was honored by prominent figures in the dance and khon world, including National Artist Noprat Supakarn (2022), Lieutenant Colonel Pattrakrit Poompipat (Teacher Tae), Vice President of Dusit Thani College of Dramatic Arts and assistant director of the Foundation for Promoting Khon Performance, as well as Mai Thao Mingmongkol and the cast and crew ready to convey the elegance of khon through this series.

The ceremony began with a pi-phat ensemble performing auspicious Thai music, followed by an offering ceremony conducted by Brahmins. Female dancers then performed a hand-raising dance for auspiciousness, followed by a khon performance showcasing full royal regalia—princes, princesses, giants, and monkeys—displaying the grace of Thai dance beautifully.

The event also featured an energetic dance showcase led by Buoy Amnuay Khawphan, Thaer Phonsak Taphaw, Temptae Worawat Peungsomboon, Pangpang Akrawin Khositnon, and many other talented performers, drawing roaring applause equal to the khon performance. Additional acclaimed actors including Tai Saiyadhon, Tum Prasit, and many others joined the series to deliver compelling storytelling.

"Jong Dang – The Urban Khon" is not merely a series presenting the beauty of khon performance art; it is a work aimed at preserving and conserving khon, Thailand's invaluable cultural and intellectual heritage, through contemporary storytelling to reach audiences of all ages and genders, especially younger generations.

The uniqueness of this series lies in blending the charm of khon with modern pop culture by incorporating K-POP elements—dance, music, performance rhythm, and the energy of young artists—creatively fused with Thai classical dance under the concept "preserving roots while moving forward with the modern world." This creates a new dimension for khon while fully respecting traditional forms and values.

The "Jong Dang" series also demonstrates that khon is not merely performance art confined to stages or textbooks, but can evolve, adapt, and connect seamlessly with contemporary culture. This approach aims to inspire youth to take interest in, study, and take pride in Thai cultural arts, and to participate in preserving the nation's heritage for generations to come.

The "Jong Dang" series is currently undergoing actor workshops and preparing for principal photography.