Phra Khru Thammmasathit, or Luang Por Maen Thammmasaro, of Wat Yai Pohak in Bang Pae District, Ratchaburi Province, was a celebrated Buddhist abbot whose amulets are highly sought after for their spiritual potency and authenticity. He was born on April 23, 1891, as a native of Po Hak Subdistrict, the son of Nai Thong and Nang Mong Tim Buthorn. During his youth, he studied Thai and Pali texts with Luang Por Klom at Wat Yai Pohak. At age 21 in 1912, he underwent ordination at Wat Yai Pohak, with Luang Por Daeng of Wat Tham Nop serving as his preceptor, Phra Athikan Dam of Wat Chindaram as his recitation master, and Phra Athikan On as his witness. He received the monastic name Thammmasaro.

He spent his monastic career studying under many revered masters across Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram provinces, including Luang Por Klom of Wat Pohak, Luang Por Daeng of Wat Tham Nob, Luang Por Chaem of Wat Don Seng, Luang Por Dam of Wat Chindaram, and Luang Por Rung of Wat Don Yai Hom. He also studied closely with Luang Por Ngern of Wat Don Yai Hom and Luang Por Sai of Wat Nong Songkhop.

In 1917, when the position of abbot at Wat Yai Pohak became vacant, the monastic community appointed him to lead the temple, a position he held with great dedication and skill. He painstakingly restored the dilapidated temple and served the Buddha's teachings with steadfast commitment. Regarding Wat Yai Pohak itself, it is an ancient temple of Ratchaburi Province. According to local accounts, when the city of Ayutthaya fell, refugees fleeing the war arrived at a settlement with ox-drawn carts laden with their possessions. The oxen became exhausted and could no longer continue, so the villagers unloaded their belongings and hung them from a bodhi tree, which subsequently broke under the weight. This area became known as "Ban Pohak" (Broken Bodhi), and a temple was later established there.

Wat Yai Pohak, originally constructed in 1734 and granted ecclesiastical boundaries in 1950, houses an ancient scripture hall and Buddha image. In 1920, Luang Por Maen was appointed as the abbot of Po Hak Subdistrict despite his relatively short monastic tenure. He received his ecclesiastical rank of Phra Khru Chantha in 1937 and was formally granted the title Phra Khru Thammmasathit in 1949. He was renowned for his compassion and skilled oratory, earning deep respect from the local people. He also promoted education and established a primary school for the community.

Later appointed as a preceptor, he oversaw the ordination of many young men into monkhood. Known for his generous spirit, he would travel by horse to conduct ordination ceremonies wherever invited, never refusing a request. His miraculous knowledge and abilities became legendary among the villagers. There are accounts of him directing villagers during the excavation of the Klongpa Luang canal, instructing them to perform a ritual apology before continuing; when they did, they discovered skeletal remains of an ancient giant standing eight cubits tall. People came to believe he possessed supernatural insight and foreknowledge of events, attributing this to his spiritual power and wisdom. He passed away on May 16, 1955, at the age of 65, having completed 44 years of monastic life.

He is regarded as one of the most sought-after amulet masters in Bang Pae District, with his amulets achieving widespread renown and commanding high respect. Most notably, his first-edition amulets, cast in 1951, featured a water-droplet shape with integral loops, crafted with exceptional quality and spiritual merit.

Amrin Choorit, a reporter for Khao Sod in Loei province, introduces 'Gai Sua Savalang'—a signature local dish from Phu Ho subdistrict in Phu Luang district. In the Isaan dialect, 'sua' refers to dry-roasting or mixing until deeply fragrant, creating the authentic taste of traditional regional cuisine. The dish features a mixed-breed chicken—a cross between wild and domestic birds—raised freely in rubber plantations around Phu Luang, resulting in firm, tender meat. The key ingredient is savalang vine, a local medicinal herb with a distinctive aroma that locals believe brings compassion and prosperity, giving the dish its name. This menu was selected by the Ministry of Culture for Loei province's 2025 'One Province, One Menu' program celebrating lost regional flavors.

Preparation begins by simmering the indigenous chicken until tender, then shredding the meat. Savalang roots, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, garlic, shallots, and red chilies are lightly roasted and coarsely ground into a curry paste. The chicken broth is brought to a boil, the paste is added, and once boiling again, the shredded chicken is added along with tomatoes and kaffir lime leaves for ten minutes. The dish is seasoned with fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, and tamarind to taste, then garnished with scallions, cilantro, and savalang leaves for an aromatic finish. The resulting flavor is spicy, salty, sour, with sweet curry notes and a slight bitterness. For inquiries or tastings, contact Phu Ho Subdistrict Municipality in Phu Luang, Loei at 0-4281-0807 or Manoon Buttanam, Phu Ho Subdistrict Chief, at 09-3614-4665.

Before becoming a neighborhood fixture in the Kasetsart-Navaamin area, "Uncle Baaw's Chicken Mok Rice" started as the brainchild of an owner from Nakhon Si Thammarat province who brought authentic Southern Thai Buddhist cuisine to Bangkok over 15 years ago. Operating on the philosophy of serving quality food at affordable prices, the shop has built a loyal following of both regulars and passersby.

The signature dish is chicken mok rice, available with boiled or fried chicken, alongside a house specialty of roasted beef mok rice.

The rice is cooked until each grain is distinct and golden from spices, releasing an aromatic aroma that invites eating. The flavor carries a spicy kick from the spices that lingers on the tongue, unlike typical mild mok rice, making it appealing to those who enjoy bold flavors.

Chicken comes in a choice of thigh or breast, marinated in spices until the flavor penetrates the meat, then served topped with crispy fried shallots for added aroma. It pairs well with a sweet-sour ajad and special dipping sauce, along with fresh cucumber and red onion that cut through the richness beautifully. Priced at 60 baht per plate.

Another popular menu item is beef and oxtail soup, flavored primarily with lime juice and a touch of fresh chili heat, complemented by the aroma of fried shallots. The soup has a balanced sour taste, with oxtail stewed until tender and beef still maintaining a pleasant chew. Perfect for sharing among 2-3 people at 100 baht per bowl.

For true Southern food enthusiasts, the shop also offers sour curry with three-layered pork and mixed vegetables, using traditional Southern curry paste cooked until the vegetables are soft and pork is perfectly tender. Can be ordered over rice or as a side dish, priced at 50 baht per bowl.

Beyond these signature dishes, the shop rotates fresh daily specials including green curry with beef, sweet pork, fried pork, spicy fried catfish, Southern dry curry with pork, stir-fried beef with kaffir lime, fish kidney curry, chicken Massaman curry, and mixed vegetable stir-fry. Options cater to both those seeking quick rice-and-curry and those craving traditional homestyle flavors.

Price remains another highlight of the shop. One curry over rice costs 40 baht, two curries over rice cost 50 baht. If ordered separately as a side, pork dishes start at 50 baht while beef dishes are 60 baht—a fair price point relative to portion and ingredient quality.

Finish your meal with Southern-style beverages, whether traditional coffee or iced tea brewed from Southern tea blends with a distinctive fragrant aroma and smooth, lingering taste, at 30 baht per glass.

The shop is located along Kasetsart-Navaamin Road (Ratchada-Ram Inthra intersection) in Nuan Chandi, Bueng Kum district, Bangkok. Enter from the road about 2 kilometers, turn under the bridge, and continue straight. The shop is on the left side before reaching the Lert Lah School traffic light. Ample roadside parking available.

Open daily from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, serving both dine-in and takeaway. For inquiries, call 09-8359-2831.

This authentic Southern Thai shop has won the hearts of Bangkok residents for over 15 years through its distinctive flavors, consistent quality, and accessible prices for all customers.

Singer Nuch Vilawall, also known as Nuchanan Saenshila, has moved to Phuuuthai Records, the label of renowned Isan country and indie music composer Acharya Jinny Phuuuthai, and is not keeping fans waiting long. She has released a new single titled "Jop Sanao," a slow and sorrowful track.

Nuch explained her move: "Coming to work with Acharya Jinny feels natural because we've worked together before and had success with songs like 'Sod Sotai,' which accumulated hundreds of millions of views combined across audio and music video. The label treats everyone like family and gives me creative input, so I decided to join."

Regarding the creation of the new single, Nuch said composer Phanuvan Wisesawong wrote and arranged the track after Acharya Jinny requested a song that would convey Nuch's melancholic voice with a saxophone sound reminiscent of heartbreak. "When I first heard it, I cried," Nuch shared. "I was worried whether listeners would accept it since I don't have a massive fanbase, but the response has exceeded expectations."

Nuch noted that everything—the music video, production, and filming locations—was handled in-house at Phuuuthai Records, using local talent and locations in Maha Sarakham and Chaiyaphum provinces. "The feedback has been overwhelming. It's been years since I've experienced a song gaining traction this strongly," she said. "Even Acharya Jinny said he's never felt momentum like this with a debut single from an artist."

The song blends Isan country, indie, pop, and traditional music styles. It marks one of the first times in over a decade that Nuch has spent two and a half hours in the recording studio perfecting her vocals. She hopes the song will become a signature opening number for female lead singers in Isan music and eventually a popular choice for traditional music performances, reviving the success she once enjoyed.

Satun provincial police arrested Nattaphapongsak, 61, former chief of Khuan Kalong sub-district municipality, on July 23, 2026, following a court warrant for local government recruitment exam fraud. He was apprehended at a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima while fleeing with his wife, and authorities seized 1,230,500 baht in cash and important documents.

Deputy Provincial Police Commander Sompong Suwannawong and other officers brought the suspect to Khuan Kalong Police Station, where he was handed over to station commander Ampai Chumchuay for legal proceedings. Investigators found 13 victims who filed complaints alleging they were defrauded by Nattaphapongsak regarding local government civil service examination fees.

Nattaphapongsak's lawyer, Prayut Laewhui, arrived at the police station to meet with his client and announced that the case has been transferred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He indicated plans to file for bail and noted his client is somewhat anxious about the case.

Meanwhile, residents of Satun are closely following the case and urging authorities to expand the investigation to identify and prosecute the mastermind and network behind the examination fraud scheme.

On July 23, 2570, a special parliamentary committee met to review the fiscal 2570 budget bill for the Ministry of Interior, chaired by Deputy Committee Chairman Anuruk Chureemasb (Pheu Thai, Roi Et). The committee raised questions about ministry administration, including progress on corruption investigations into local government staff and employee exam fraud, as well as the 11-year administrative center construction project that has faced repeated delays and budget adjustments totaling nearly 9 billion baht.

Committee member Surachesat Prawinwongwut (Pheu Thai list MP) challenged the permanent secretary to act decisively on removing over 5,000 civil servants implicated in the local exam cheating scheme, saying: "Don't fear whether the boss will like you or get angry—stand firm on principle, or you yourself will suffer the consequences." Meanwhile, MP Sirikanya Thansakul raised alarm at the cascade of scandals plaguing the Interior Ministry since the government took office, from staff transfers to the exam fraud and ongoing controversies. She also questioned millions in off-budget training fees and questioned why a drug rehabilitation program allocated 300 million baht would only deliver nine-day treatment courses when effective rehabilitation requires months or years.