The seventh anniversary of the death of Luang Pu Saen Pasanno is observed on Saturday, July 25, 2026. A celebrated Buddhist monk from the northeastern region, he was known for his profound spiritual wisdom and lived at Wat Ban Nong Chik in Khun Han District, Sisaket Province. His strict adherence to monastic discipline and moral virtue made him a pillar of support for lay devotees and monks alike, earning him widespread recognition and the title "Deity of Phu Fai Mountain" near the Cambodian border.

He was born in 1907 as Saen Kumkhrop and ordained as a novice at a young age, studying Buddhist scriptures under the renowned teacher Luang Pho Mum. He later pursued additional studies in Cambodia, learning from Khmer masters with a focus on knowledge that would help others. After completing his worldly responsibilities, he returned to monastic life and eventually settled at Wat Ban Nong Chik, where he revitalized the neglected temple through his dedication and attracted monks to practice there.

He served as abbot and continued his spiritual practice, often engaging in intensive forest meditation. By age 93, he remained active in temple affairs. When he reached 97, concerned relatives persuaded him to return full-time to Wat Ban Nong Chik, where he spent his remaining years. He rarely commissioned amulets or blessed objects, preferring to allow close disciples to do so, yet his amulets—such as half-body coins and bell pendants—became highly sought after. He passed away peacefully on the night of July 25, 2019, at the age of 112.

Dr. Suphatthorn Hasuwon, a former parliamentary candidate for Songkhla District 2 representing the Democratic Party, has posted allegations of clear and serious corruption in the Public Health Ministry's volunteer nurse selection examination. The ministry designed the selection process to rely entirely on interviews conducted by six-person committees from each province, with no written exam component. The Department of Health Service Support instructed each province to submit the names of six committee members for ministry appointment, but the announced appointments did not match the nominations submitted by the provinces. This discrepancy has sparked complaints across multiple provinces via LINE group chats, prompting the department to cancel its original order and reissue appointments matching the provincial submissions. Dr. Hasuwon warned that the selection may favor high-scoring candidates and could involve position trading similar to corruption scandals in local government exams. He called on the Public Health Minister to provide an urgent explanation and suggested canceling the exam altogether if public confidence in the fairness cannot be assured. The volunteer nurse program costs the state 1.3 billion baht annually, and the budget commission should conduct a full review of the program's allocation.

Pol. Lt. Col. Tawee Sodsong, a Pheu Thai party list MP, posted on Facebook on July 24, 2025, alleging a "massive saga of corruption involving bribery in local government exam fraud spread nationwide." He called for investigations to reach senior policymakers and officials directing the exams.

Tawee highlighted statistical irregularities in local government entrance examinations over the past five years: In 2025 (Srinakharinwirot University), 213,030 applicants took the exam with 47,208 passing, a 22.16% pass rate—abnormally high compared to previous years. In 2021 (Burapha University), 281,968 applicants resulted in 18,874 passes (6.69%). In 2019 (Kasetsart University), 249,235 applicants produced 9,893 passes (3.97%). In 2017 (Burapha University), 477,102 applicants yielded 32,369 passes (6.78%). In 2014 (Suan Dusit University), 280,625 applicants resulted in 4,864 passes (1.73%).

Comparison with standard national civil service exams conducted by the Civil Service Commission showed pass rates consistently between 1% and 7%. In 2025, 450,000 candidates applied with 19,488 passing (4.33%); in 2024, 384,906 applied with 28,571 passing (7.42%); in 2023, 333,500 applied with 15,485 passing (4.64%); in 2022, 369,437 applied with 4,744 passing (1.28%); and in 2021, 719,805 applied with 11,349 passing (1.58%).

Tawee's analysis concluded that the 2025 local government exam pass rate of 22.16%—nearly four times the natural average of 7%—cannot result from normal score distribution among candidates. Instead, it suggests irregularities in data processing, altered benchmarks, or computer system manipulation of raw scores, pointing to exam fraud. The lawmaker noted that Burapha University, which had successfully administered local government exams twice with no fraud allegations and at a cost of only 275 baht per applicant (82.5 million baht for roughly 300,000 candidates in 2566), was replaced by other universities for subsequent exams, raising further questions about the process.

PHUKET: Thailand has been hit with a new 12.5% US import tariff after the Trump administration announced fresh duties on 60 trading partners, replacing temporary global tariffs that expired yesterday.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — The Korat Candle Festival 2026 is set to return with a blend of Buddhist art, traditional craftsmanship, technology and pop culture, featuring a drone show, Dan Kwian pottery-inspired art and candle sculptures resembling Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and global Thai pop star Lisa.

The festival, themed "Buddhist Art and the Light of Faith," will take place from July 28–30, 2026, around the Thao Suranari Monument in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district.

At a press conference on July 22, Nakhon Ratchasima deputy governor Wijit Kijvirat joined Nakhon Ratchasima Mayor Dr Wannarat Chankunakul and representatives from police, tourism, sports and cultural agencies to announce preparations for the annual event.

Organisers said the festival aims to preserve the traditional Buddhist Lent candle parade, promote local candle-carving craftsmanship and boost tourism in the province.

One of this year's major highlights will be a drone show combining modern technology with Buddhist history. The performance will depict the Buddha delivering his first sermon to the Five Ascetics on Asalha Puja Day through lights in the night sky.

The festival will also incorporate the traditional pottery craftsmanship of Dan Kwian into candle sculptures and Buddhist artworks, creating opportunities for young people and members of the public to learn local techniques and develop them for future candle floats.

Former deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop is scheduled to preside over the opening parade, which will feature at least 13 candle floats.

The festival will also host competitions for Buddhist Lent candle floats for the royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in categories A, B and C. A Pong Lang music competition for trophies from the prime minister and deputy prime minister will be held on July 29.

A distinctive feature of the Korat festival is its satirical political candle sculptures. This year, Phimai district has prepared a surprise with a 1.9-metre-tall wax figure resembling Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Candle sculptor Watchara Nadee said the figure depicts Anutin standing and making a hand gesture associated with the government's "40-60 Thai Chuai Thai Plus" economic stimulus measure.

The figure is intended to add colour, capture current trends and attract more tourists, organisers said.

Phimai district will also hold its own "Join Merit, Join Worship: Phimai Buddhist Lent Candle Parade" on July 28–29 at Phrommathat grounds before its floats move to the provincial event for the main competition.

Among the major contenders is Wat Derm in Phimai, a former champion of the royal trophy in Category A. Its enormous 20-metre-long, 5.15-metre-high and 4-metre-wide float uses around 8 tonnes of wax.

Candle craftsman Kiattisak "Chang Ko" Duangthong said the float has taken three months to create and is now more than 85% complete.

The float will depict the Buddha's journey to Tavatimsa Heaven.

Young singer Nonn Thanon has faced online criticism and social media drama after audience members confronted him at a performance about arriving late to the stage, sparking multiple debates. On July 23, Bogie Lion (Bogie Nichada Weerasuthimash) attended the Thailand Y Content Awards 2025 at MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore in Bangkapi and shared an update on Nonn's mental state.

Bogie Lion believes that misunderstandings about artists' stage times happen frequently because each event has different conditions and circumstances. She emphasized the need for clear communication and adherence to contractual agreements. She recounted experiencing situations where event organizers announced incorrect stage times, leading to artists being wrongly accused of running late.

Bogie Lion expressed confidence that Nonn will overcome this situation, noting that such incidents are common in the entertainment industry. She explained that various performance venues have different conditions, and different management strategies are needed for each job. The best approach, she said, is to clarify contracts between the record label, artist, and venue as thoroughly as possible, though some unexpected situations cannot be prevented.

Bogie shared a personal experience where an event told audiences she would perform at 6 p.m., though the actual deal was 4 p.m. The organizer then announced she was late, when in reality she was waiting as scheduled. She expressed frustration at not being able to defend herself, feeling obligated to the label, the event, and everyone involved, so she performed her best for the waiting audience, only to receive negative feedback afterward.

Regarding Nonn's current condition, Bogie expressed optimism that he will improve soon and sent encouragement. She also mentioned that Nonn is currently ill with influenza and has had to cancel several performances. She did not confirm whether they had spoken directly.