Luang Pu Po Thammisiri, the late abbot of Wat Ban Eiad (Wat Bodhi Sri Ban Eiad) in Khon Kaen's Maha Sarakham province, was a revered Buddhist elder of the old school whose reputation rivaled that of Luang Pu Sri Thammasathan of Wat Tai Kosoom and Luang Pu Sun Tikkhapanyo of Wat Ban Sua Goke. The amulet circle of Maha Sarakham produced many blessed objects from his lineage, all highly sought after. The first-edition oval portrait coin, cast in 2499 BE (1956), has been treasured for over 50 years and is said to have been spiritually empowered by Luang Pu Po himself. It was cast exclusively in fire-finished copper. The obverse features a half-length portrait with curved text along the rim reading "Ajarn Po Wat Bodhi Sri Ban Eiad." Because the portrait face resembles a Western person, amulet collectors call it the "foreign-face block"—placing it among Maha Sarakham's most prized rare coins. The reverse bears two rows of sacred syllables: the first reads "A U Ma Mi" and the second "Ma A U Mi," forming a heart mantra said to grant steadfastness and spiritual protection. Some coins show monk signature marks while others do not. According to teacher Promma, a 90-year-old retired instructor from Ban Eiad School, Luang Pu Po performed a solitary blessing ritual over the course of one Buddhist year. When the coins were first created, Luang Pu Po would sign each one personally and distribute them to devotees making merit. As word of the amulet's power spread, large numbers of people traveled daily to the temple to make offerings, but it became impossible to sign every coin on demand—which explains why some lack the signature mark. The exact number cast remains unknown, though estimates place it under 1,000 coins, a remarkably high production figure for that era. From the past to the present, the foreign-face block coin continues to command the highest regard among amulet enthusiasts.

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the 142nd birth anniversary of Phra Thep Sithinayok, or Luang Pu Nak Sophono, the former abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram in Bangkok, was commemorated. This highly respected Buddhist master, known throughout the community for his piety and renown, created numerous sacred amulets and talismans, including powder-pressed amulets of revered monks and blessed coins. Originally named Nak Marengsit, he was born on August 1, 1884, at Prasat Village in Mueang Prasat Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to parents Nayom Pom and Nang Songwan Marengsit. Like other village children, he sought education to bring honor to his family, but Nakhon Ratchasima then had no schools, only temples. His parents entrusted him to Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi), his uncle at Wat Bueng near the Chumpol Gate, who taught him appropriately. At age 13, he ordained in 1897 at Wat Bueng, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, under Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi) as his preceptor. Recognized for his keen intelligence and scholarly ability, his teachers in Pali and Thai language encouraged him to pursue further studies at a respectable monastery in Bangkok. He traveled to Bangkok with a caravan of about 30 people, departing from Nakhon Ratchasima and arriving after a month-long journey. His uncle placed him under the care of Phra Ajarn Luem, a resident monk of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, whose dwelling was located near the canal entrance (now the site of Wat Rakhang Girls School). Phra Thamma Trailokacharya, who later became Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin Israngkun), the temple's abbot, provided him patronage. At age 15, he studied Pali and advanced to the translation level, becoming the first to recite the Dhamma in three verses before the King, with several venerable monks serving as ecclesiastical examiners. Novice Naka passed the oral examination in Dhamma three verses and received the Attha Brakhit Thai Dhamma gift from King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. In 1905, his determination did not waver; he continued his studies and passed the examination in four-verse Dhamma recitation through oral translation, a difficult achievement for that era. At age 21, he entered the higher ordination at the Buddhist precinct of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, with Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Rit) of Wat Arun as his preceptor, Somdet Phra Wanrat (Dit) of Wat Mahathat Yuvarajarangsi as his reciter of the ordinance, and Phra Thamma Koshacharya (Phae) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam as his witness. Phra Thamma Trailokacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin) gave the teachings, and his preceptor bestowed upon him the name "Sophono." In 1906, he passed the examination in five-verse Dhamma recitation but did not proceed to the sixth verse, as he was occupied with duties as close attendant serving the temple for Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya, the abbot. While studying Pali scriptures, he also pursued meditation practice and techniques at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng) and Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Phlab), engaging in rigorous mental cultivation over a ten-year period until he achieved the level of contemplative wisdom. In 1941, he created sacred amulets based on texts by Somdet Phra Phutthacharya (To Phomsrangsi). During this period of warfare in Southeast Asia, he distributed these sacred amulets to soldiers to carry into battle, boosting their morale and courage. The amulets created by Luang Pu Naka and those made in subsequent generations became highly popular and earned prestige in the amulet world.

"Every dream has a price," Channel One 31 presents the drama series "Sky Castle Thailand," an original creation adapted for Thai audiences by writers Santimoni Ratchada and Romthai Sakkadaech, directed by Kao Wirida Kuhavanit. The story follows Sky Castle, a gated community of elite families obsessed with education and securing their children's admission to top-tier universities worldwide. The plot centers on Coach Pim, a mysterious tutor with a 100% success rate in getting students into Ivy League schools and recently guiding the Soparangsee family's son into Harvard Medical School. Her services become highly coveted by the Wechyarachakij, Ungamanuytrop, and Chanyawanit families, but hiring Coach Pim comes with hidden costs and murky conditions. As ambition and cutthroat competition intensify among these families, two mysterious deaths within the community escalate tensions further when the Jenpraida family arrives. Director Kao Wirida Kuhavanit explains that the Thai adaptation reinterprets the original Korean version to reflect Thai context, particularly regarding education values and family love, while expanding the characters' aspirations beyond medicine to more ambitious global goals. Actress Nun Siriphant, who plays Coach Pim, notes that after watching the Korean version, she wanted to create a distinctly Thai interpretation of the character rather than simply copying the original performance, collaborating with the director to develop a unique Thai perspective for the role.

The NEXZTER BRIC Superbike Championship 2026 Round 2 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram on July 31 features official practice sessions for all classes, allowing riders to gather data and adjust their motorcycles before the weekend's main competitions. Leading Thai and international riders including Mix Thanat Laongphliu and Terle Pirapong Louiboonphaeng are taking part.

Saturday August 1 will host qualifying rounds starting at 1 p.m. to determine grid positions for all classes, followed by Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 1 at 3:45 p.m. and Yamalube R7 Cup at 4:55 p.m.

Sunday August 2 marks the weekend's highlight with championship finals beginning with Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 2 at 10:05 a.m. and Yamalube R9 Cup at 11:15 a.m. Ticketed fans can participate in a Pit Walk from 11:35 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for close-up paddock access before the main races proceed through Super Sport 250, Super Stock/Superbike 1000, Super Sport 600, and concluding with the premier Superbike 1000 class at 4:30 p.m.

Grandstand tickets are available at 100 baht per day and VIP tickets at 500 baht per day (Saturday and Sunday only) at ticket booths near the Grandstand entrance. Ticket holders can enter a raffle for prizes including VIP passes and Paddock Passes for MotoGP 2027, plus opportunities to meet world-class riders.

Fans can watch live coverage on True Sports 1 (Channel 666) on August 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or stream via the Chang Circuit Buriram and BRIC Superbike 2026 Facebook pages and YouTube channel starting at 9 a.m.

BRIC Superbike is also expanding its audience to Asia through a long-term partnership with China's MFZ Racing, broadcasting the competition on major Chinese platforms including Douyin, Weibo, iQIYI, and Huya—a significant step toward establishing the Thai championship as a major regional motorsports event.

On July 31, 2569, the Royal Thai Embassy Ankara's official Facebook page posted a clarification regarding questions about the embassy's handling of the death case of Bowortat Pengsuk, also known as Holun Solo. The embassy stated that embassy staff arriving in Tbilisi at 20:30 on July 29, 2569, immediately proceeded to the Georgian police station and were informed by the investigating officer that the police station had sent an email to Georgia's Foreign Ministry on July 14, 2569, requesting that Thai authorities be notified. The embassy had not received direct notice from Georgian police prior to this.

On July 30, 2569, at 11:00, embassy staff met with Georgian Foreign Ministry officials, who formally delivered a death notification letter for Bowortat (dated July 29, 2569, in Georgian with an unofficial English translation).

The embassy has requested that Georgian authorities investigate why the Foreign Ministry dated its letter July 29, after the embassy had inquired about the case on July 28 (following news of Bowortat's disappearance). The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to providing careful consular assistance based on reliable official information and in accordance with international law, while respecting the privacy rights of the deceased and family. The embassy emphasized that it was never directly notified by Georgian police and first learned of the case from Georgia's Foreign Ministry on July 29.

Bangkok — Thailand's government is reviewing more than 100 laws identified by the private sector as obstacles to doing business, with the aim of cutting costs and improving the country's competitiveness, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Pakorn Nilprapunt said.

Pakorn said the government had begun working with the private sector's three main institutions through the Joint Public-Private Sector Consultative Committee to review laws and regulations that hinder business operations.

The latest proposals from the private sector involve more than 100 laws, with most recommendations coming from the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The proposals will first be grouped and prioritised to identify which laws have the greatest impact on the economy and national competitiveness, he said.

Pakorn said the government would not create a large-scale master plan, which could take too long and risk falling behind changing circumstances.

Instead, private-sector groups have been asked to clearly identify what is wrong with each law and which specific wording needs to be amended. Once clear draft amendments are prepared, the government will immediately seek feedback from relevant stakeholders.

After consultations and agreement are reached, the principles will be submitted to the Cabinet, which will assign the relevant agencies to amend the laws through the established process.

The government will prioritise measures that can be implemented quickly and deliver tangible benefits to businesses.

The legal reforms will be prioritised under the government's seven Leading Thailand strategies, particularly sectors that directly affect the country's competitiveness, including tourism and industry.

Private businesses have repeatedly warned that Thailand will struggle to compete with other countries if operating costs remain high.

Pakorn said his team had already held preliminary discussions with the private sector to determine which proposals would be beneficial and practical.

A system has also been developed to allow private-sector representatives to submit issues and track progress on each proposal, he said.

However, Pakorn stressed that competitiveness was not solely a legal issue. Structural costs, particularly high energy prices, also remain a major burden for businesses across the economy.

"Even if we reform the laws, it may not be enough if these issues are not addressed at the same time," he said.

Pakorn said the government initially expected the process to take around two months but had already made significant progress.

"We expect to have a clearer picture within the next one to two months. We have to move quickly because time is running out, the government's term is moving fast, and the country needs tangible change," he said.