"Buddhist practice follows the path of the Buddha through righteousness and patience," according to Luang Pho Cha Suphattho of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pho Ruay Pasattiko, also known as Phra Mongkhon Sitthacharya, was a revered meditation master from Wat Tao in Phachi District, Ayutthaya. While his rope bracelets (les) gained fame, his first edition medal—struck on April 18, 1970, to commemorate his elevation to ecclesiastical rank—has become equally popular. The medal features a cylindrical design with integral loops, showing his half-figure facing forward on the obverse, inscribed "Phra Kru Sunthorthamniwittha (Samruay)" below. The reverse displays ornate Pali script with text marking the ordination celebration and Wat Tao. Only 1,500 medals were cast in nickel-plated alpaca. Owners of this amulet are believed to receive personal blessings.

Luang Pu Thom Kallyano, former abbot of Wat Thammapanyaram in Sukhothai, was another renowned meditation master whose consecrated amulets attracted widespread devotion across multiple editions. His first portrait medal from 1965, cast to raise funds for an ordination hall, featured an oval form with ring loops and remains exceptionally rare today.

Phra Kru Chanthasirithorn (Luang Pho Saran Chanthupo), abbot of Wat Dong Noi in Lopburi, produced the "Pok Krang Medal B.E. 2555" with a distinctive oval design and solid ring loops. The reverse incorporated a mixture of sacred substances blended with powder from Luang Pho Kaew of Wat Khruea Wan—a single amulet with exceptional potential.

Luang Pho Kuay Chutindhorn of Wat Khositaram (Wat Ban Kae) in Chai Nat was a celebrated teacher whose first edition medal, cast in 1961 from bronze-plated gold in approximately 5,000 pieces, displays his full seated figure. The reverse contains powerful sacred yantra, including the Crown Chakra of Buddha bound by Tripitaka incantations and protective spells. These medals have become extremely rare and command high veneration prices.

On July 9, Deputy Police Commander General Samran Nualma and other senior officials launched Operation 'Shedding Dragon Scales' to dismantle a birth certificate fraud network. Thai men, including a man identified as 'Thip,' were hired to register as biological fathers on documents, allowing Chinese nationals to obtain Thai nationality for their children illegally. The scheme involved collusion between hospital staff, district officials, and Thai men who received fees of 2,000 to 15,000 baht per transaction.

The investigation began after police arrested Chen Yinlai, a Chinese national and cybercriminal, in April 2024 for money laundering over 70 billion baht through Thailand. Further investigation revealed that Chen's Chinese wife, Ms. Pao Jiao Chen, had three children registered as Thai nationals through fraudulent means. Police found that hospital staff member Ms. Sunee acted as a broker connecting Chinese nationals to a private hospital in Thonburi, charging 70,000 baht per delivery and 20,000 baht for her services. District office employee Ms. Siriporn facilitated the illegal registrations.

Database checks revealed 62 pairs of foreign mothers and alleged Thai fathers processed by these officials, with at least 19 fraudulent birth certificates issued. All suspects have been arrested and charged. The Department of Local Administration has revoked all fraudulent registrations and stripped the affected children of Thai nationality. Immigration officials have been provided data for deportation proceedings.

Huawei held the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the 2025-2026 ICT Competition Global Final in Shenzhen, China on July 9, marking the largest participation in the competition's history and highlighting its commitment to developing digital talent and advancing artificial intelligence skills for the future digital economy.

This year's competition drew students and faculty from over 2,000 higher education institutions across more than 100 countries and regions, with 220,000 registrations narrowed down to 177 teams from 49 countries and regions for the global finals.

On the occasion of the Huawei ICT Competition's 10th anniversary, 18 teams from 8 countries—China, Nigeria, Singapore, Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic—won Grand Prize awards across three competition categories: Practice Competition, Innovation Competition, and Programming Competition.

Huawei also presented special awards recognizing outstanding achievements. The Women in Tech Award went to seven all-female teams from Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Kenya, China, and Bahrain, while the Green Development Award was given to two teams from Ghana and China. Ten Chinese students earned entry into the Huawei Future Business Leader Track, while 16 outstanding instructors from 9 countries and regions—including Thailand—received the Most Valuable Instructor Award. Six additional teams from Egypt, Brazil, Malaysia, Poland, and Pakistan won the ICT Competition Online Popularity Award.

The awards ceremony was honored by diplomatic representatives from 11 countries, including ambassadors, consuls general, and senior diplomatic advisors, who presented awards to winners from their respective nations.

Ritchie Peng, Head of ICT Strategy and Business Development at Huawei, stated that the ICT Competition reflects Huawei's commitment to using technology to create social value and promote sustainable development. He highlighted how the Innovation Competition showcased the potential of hands-on learning to solve real-world problems, while participants in the Practice and Programming categories demonstrated outstanding knowledge-seeking, determination, and technical expertise.

Peng also announced a new competition category, the Ascend AI Operator Development Track, for the next competition in China, designed to help next-generation developers learn and develop AI skills through challenges connected to cutting-edge industry technology.

Dr. Shafika Isaacs, Acting Director of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and Head of Technology and AI for Education, noted that future AI development requires collaboration among governments, international organizations, educational institutions, and industry. She commended participants for effectively applying emerging technologies to solve real problems, create innovation, and work across cultural boundaries.

During the event, Huawei also organized the AI Accelerating Education Transformation Summit.

Agriculture Minister Suriya Juengrungruangkit announced his official visit to Malaysia on July 9-10, 2025, to Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, traveling with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister. He met Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to jointly sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between Thailand's Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

The MOU will serve as a critical mechanism to strengthen coordination and dialogue between the two countries on academic cooperation, knowledge and technology exchange, and agricultural innovation. It will also address trade issues and sanitary and phytosanitary measures affecting agricultural products, aiming for concrete results that benefit both nations.

Discussions also covered agricultural trade between Thailand and Malaysia. Technical-level discussions from the previous week addressed both fisheries and livestock sectors. Regarding fisheries, both sides established a timeline for system inspections to be conducted in July. Thai and Malaysian technical agencies will engage in close collaboration to accelerate resolution of pending trade issues.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has issued a statement denying involvement with underground clubs following raids in Bangkok's Ratchadamri district, where authorities apprehended operators of illegal entertainment venues. The organization firmly stated it does not support or protect unlawful activities.

On July 9, 2025, the KNLA issued the clarification after some media outlets reported alleged links between Bangkok-based businesses and the KNLA or individuals purportedly connected to it. The organization sought to prevent misunderstandings that could affect the public and damage its longstanding good relations with Thai authorities.

The KNLA's statement outlined five key points. First, it emphasized that multiple Karen groups operate independently from the Karen National Union (KNU), including DKBA, KNU-KNLA-PC, BGF, and KPF, each with separate leadership and policies. Simply claiming someone is "Karen" is insufficient to establish KNLA membership; proper verification through official channels is required.

Second, the KNLA noted that no identified individuals or verified evidence has been presented confirming any alleged person's connection to the organization. Linking the group to individuals' actions without proven facts risks unfairly damaging the organization's reputation. Claims of KNLA affiliation require documented evidence of membership status, command relationships, or official authorization, not mere association with outsiders.

Third, the KNLA stated it welcomes Thai authorities to share any verified evidence through appropriate channels and is prepared to investigate and cooperate on information exchange to prevent anyone from misusing the KNLA's name to commit crimes under Thai law.

Fourth, regarding allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational crime, the KNLA stressed it has no policy supporting such activities and does not protect illegal conduct in any form. Individual criminal actions cannot be attributed to the organization.

Finally, the KNLA acknowledged the importance of combating narcotics, human trafficking, money laundering, and transnational crime to regional security and safety, and expressed readiness to coordinate with relevant authorities on these matters.

After a decade-long absence, the Thung Saeng Tawan team returned to Lhay Kaew community in 2026 to engage with elders and understand the lifestyle systems within the Pwo Karen settlement on Doi Tao in Chiang Mai. Morning sunlight filters through the homes as smoke drifts from cooking fires. The Pwo Karen culture centers on extended families, with newly married children building houses near their parents' homes, creating tight-knit clusters of relatives within earshot of one another.

Elderly residents gather under the houses to socialize, some chewing betel nut while discussing local news, while nearby young women quietly work at looms. In the past, weaving was passed down from mother to child out of necessity, but traditional knowledge nearly vanished with the arrival of roads, markets, and cheap commercial textiles. Fortunately, a revival of natural dye techniques and modern designs has rekindled interest in traditional weaving among younger generations, providing income without requiring them to seek work outside the village.

Karen families prepare rice offerings for elders and provide daily care to aging relatives who live nearby. As they enter their final years, most elders in their 70s and 80s show a peaceful acceptance of life, famously expressed by one 86-year-old grandmother who says, "Old age comes, whether we like it or not." Most elders prepare traditional clothing and household items for their eventual passing, viewing it as an ancient practice. They spend their days spinning cotton, greeting visitors, and enjoying the simplicity of daily life without worry about the future.

The quiet community becomes lively during periodic markets when vendors from the lowlands drive up to sell food, supplies, and clothing. Even elderly residents with mobility issues make the effort to attend these gatherings for brief respite and social connection.