On July 1, 2026 at 5:48 p.m., His Majesty appointed General Oranong Piyanatvachirpat to represent him in conducting a golden Buddha casting ceremony and opening the "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok's Bang Kok Yai district.

The royal delegate presented commemorative gifts to 60 donors supporting the temple, distributed royal gifts to 10 local residents, and presented school bags to 50 student representatives from schools in Bang Kok Yai district out of 200 total recipients. The delegate then visited the monument of King Rama I to lay flowers and light incense in tribute, making merit offerings and expressing the Thai people's loyalty to the late king.

The "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" program is designed to conserve, restore, and promote the value of Thailand's UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites while building knowledge and awareness of heritage preservation. The program has expanded from Ayutthaya province to establish a learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok, serving as a hub for learning about Thailand's cultural world heritage. The exhibition presents information on the significance, history, conservation, and management of all five of Thailand's cultural heritage sites using modern display formats.

Rev. Chomphon Nitisao, assistant abbot of Wat Arunrajvararam, revealed that the learning center features four zones. Zone 1 explains what world heritage is, its types, criteria for consideration, and the world heritage map of Asia. Zone 2 displays a chronology of Buddhism, Thailand's world heritage sites, and the tentative list alongside important Asian heritage sites, featuring Thailand's five cultural world heritage locations (Ban Chiang, Phimai, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya) and a timeline of Asian Buddhist heritage. Zone 3 highlights Wat Arunrajvararam's prang and its outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity compared to similar world heritage sites. Zone 4 covers world heritage and dharma heritage management practices by the sangha, including Buddhist learning activities in heritage areas such as Ayutthaya and other temples.

PHUKET: A fire at an abandoned building in Chalong last night (July 14) was brought under control within about 30 minutes, with police later seizing two motorcycles found near the scene as part of their investigation.

Luang Por Daeng Ratpo, formally known as Phra Kru Yanavilash, was a highly respected ascetic at Wat Khao Bandai It in Muang District, Phetchaburi. Born into the Angsang family on the second lunar day of the eleventh month in 1879, he spent his childhood helping his parents farm and had no opportunity for formal schooling. When he came of age, his parents arranged for him to study under Phra Ajarn Plian at Wat Khao Bandai It. At age 22, he was ordained in a ceremony conducted by Phra Kru Yanavissuthi of Wat Kaen Lek. He received the monastic name Ratpo and devoted himself to studying Buddhist scriptures and maintaining strict discipline. Phra Ajarn Plian taught him meditation techniques and spiritual knowledge without reservation, leading him to become an accomplished practitioner of the highest seniority.

When Phra Ajarn Plian passed away, Luang Por Daeng became the abbot of Wat Khao Bandai It starting in 1918. Despite his administrative duties, he continued his daily meditation practice and never boasted of his spiritual attainments. However, his sacred talismans and amulets demonstrated remarkable protective power.

During the 1934–1937 period, a severe livestock epidemic struck Phetchaburi, killing many cattle and buffalo. Villagers sought Luang Por Daeng's help, and he blessed sacred cloth squares inscribed with yantras, which families tied to their animal pens. Remarkably, animals in pens protected with his yantra remained unharmed while others perished.

When World War II bombing devastated Phetchaburi, destroying railways, bridges, homes, and closing schools and government offices, villagers who possessed his blessed cloth or amulets reportedly remained safe and unharmed. On December 5, 1959, he was granted ecclesiastical promotion to Phra Kru Sannyabat with the royal title Phra Kru Yanavilash. He was known for his kindness, gentle temperament, and refusal to speak harshly to anyone, particularly forbidding crude language about parents. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 1960, at age 96 after 74 years of monastic life.

Luang Por Daeng created many sacred objects and amulets that became widely sought after. After his first series of amulets gained popularity, another highly successful edition emerged: the Military Commander series amulet, created in 1968 on his ninetieth birthday at the request of General Samran Petcharakul, then commander of the First Region. The Royal Mint designed and produced 48,000 copper amulets, along with silver, gold, and alpaca versions. Measuring approximately 2.7 centimeters wide and 3.7 centimeters tall, the amulet features a half-length portrait facing forward with the word 'commemoration' inscribed above and text on a ribbon below.

The Department of Cultural Promotion and Ban Tukka-toon Thai Shadow Puppet Theater unveiled a traveling puppet drama project honoring Queen Suthida to celebrate her 60th birthday on June 3, 2026. The inaugural performance at Pichaya School in Nonthaburi featured the classic tale "Painting Gold on Buddha's Back" presented as a modern musical puppet show, blending traditional puppet artistry with contemporary lighting, music, and sound design to captivate more than 200 attending teachers and students. Department director Yuthika Isranagul Na Ayudhya explained that the project aims to demonstrate loyalty to the Queen while promoting, publicizing, and preserving Thai cultural heritage through the art of traditional shadow puppetry.

Dr. Niwet Waewsamana, founder of Ban Tukka-toon, noted that the production adapts ancient Thai puppet traditions with modern design, engaging scripts, and contemporary technical elements to make Thai arts and culture more accessible to younger generations. School principal Dr. Sunongnart Sutabut added that bringing national-level cultural arts directly to students not only brings joy but also instills beauty and loyalty in young people's hearts.

The main initiative features the traveling puppet theater exhibition alongside an "Exhibition Honoring the Queen" containing information about her royal history and royal works. The program will tour all four regions of Thailand. More details are available at www.culture.go.th and the Department of Cultural Promotion's Facebook page, or by calling 0-2247-0013 ext. 4113 or 4115.

Thailand's men's volleyball team defeated Vietnam 3-1 to secure three points in their opening match of the SEA V Cup 2026 first round, Group B, at Candone City Arena in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines on July 15, 2026. The match featured Thailand's starting lineup including Phadej Pinidee, Anuchit Pakdeekeaw, Anurak Punthuramya, Chaiwat Thungkham, Thanawat Taveeratan, and Nongrit Janpiromya, with Nattapong Chachamnyan as the libero delivering an excellent performance. Thailand dominated the match, winning with set scores of 33-31, 18-25, 25-19, and 25-16. Thailand's next match will be against Myanmar on July 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

On July 15, Rangsiman Rom, a Pheu Thai list MP and chair of the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, briefed lawmakers on the committee's investigation into local government recruitment for 2567-2569. Several agencies provided testimony, including the TOR (Terms of Reference) drafting committee and the Interior Ministry's deputy secretary general. However, some agencies failed to cooperate fully. The National Anti-Corruption Commission initially confirmed attendance but later submitted only a written statement without explanation, as did the Public Administration Department, citing other urgent commitments.

Rangsiman highlighted three key findings. First, the TOR lacks adequate anti-fraud safeguards—there is no mechanism to verify if Excel files or score data have been altered after upload. Of approximately 15,000 preliminary vetted names, about 6,000 show signs of modification, with some cases already under NACC review. Second, announced candidate lists do not match score records in system files, suggesting either the announcements are incorrect or the data has been tampered with. Responsibility rests with the Central Local Official Recruitment Committee and the Interior Ministry permanent secretary. Third, while five officials were reportedly placed under severe disciplinary investigation, no formal complaints or accusations have been filed against any individuals by the ministry.

Rangsiman questioned whether these safeguard failures were deliberate or accidental and called for further investigation into the circumstances and those responsible.