On Monday, June 29, 2025, Somdet Phra Mahaviravorngsa (Suchin Akkhachino), a Mahatherasmakom Committee member and assistant abbot of Wat Rajbophit Sathit Maha Simaram, represented the committee as chairperson at the opening of the 52nd "Knowledge Offering Project for Sangha Administrators" targeting abbots, deputy abbots, and assistant abbots. The program, organized by the Institute of Sangha Administration, Office of Buddhism, and the Mahatherasmakom Secretariat, trained 220 Buddhist monks to enhance their monastic management skills. The ceremony was held at the Buddhamontol Conference Hall under royal patronage.

Udom Porn Ekyiam, Director of the Office of Buddhism, submitted a progress report with senior officials and staff in attendance.

Somdet Phra Mahaviravorngsa delivered a sermon emphasizing that abbots, deputy abbots, and assistant abbots serve as vital mechanisms in their temples, responsible for preserving Buddhist resources and the livelihood of monks and novices. He stressed that being an abbot must be genuine, not merely nominal. The role is defined by laws and Mahatherasmakom regulations specifying duties and powers. Therefore, holding a position demands fulfilling corresponding responsibilities according to legal provisions. Deputy abbots must accept responsibilities delegated by the abbot while assisting in temple affairs including dissemination of teachings, governance, and public welfare. Assistant abbots must serve diligently. All three positions working in the same temple must operate with unity, understanding their duties and responsibilities. Experienced monks should support younger leadership without obstructing the temple's development, recognizing what is and isn't appropriate.

On Friday, July 3, 2025, Somdet Phra Mahachirmuneevongsa (Boonrueng Punnyochoto), a Mahatherasmakom Committee member and abbot of Wat Phra Sri Maha Dhat, presided over the closing ceremony and certificate presentation at the Buddhamontol Conference Hall in Nakhon Pathom Province.

Somdet Phra Mahachirmuneevongsa advised that the roles of abbots, deputy abbots, and assistant abbots today face challenges involving laws, sangha regulations, and Mahatherasmakom rules. As temple administrators and community leaders, he offered three guiding principles: First, establish dharma and vinaya as the foundation—temple management and governance of monks must strictly adhere to Buddhist law and sangha regulations using fairness and compassion. Second, ensure transparency in Buddhist assets—property and benefit management must be handled carefully, following proper procedures and accounting practices to prevent disputes and accusations that cause future damage. Third, serve as the spiritual center of the community—current sangha administrators must be good mentors, developing temples as peaceful havens and learning centers, serving as true spiritual refuges for Buddhists. Following these guidelines creates beauty, unity, and harmony, earning respect within the sangha and society.

Somdet Phra Mahachirmuneevongsa further urged steadfast commitment to virtue and good conduct, compliance with Mahatherasmakom and sangha regulations with consistency and fairness, without discrimination, maintaining order and propriety.

In and Ongsa meet for the first time in the intense period BL series "Arun Rung: The Edge of Horizon" on Channel One 31. The two actors gave an interview today about taking on their character roles and shared their views on cross-class love and sexual diversity.

What role does each actor play in "Arun Rung"? In: "I play Phop Theerachai, the loyal servant close to Prince Thinkorn. He's a faithful person who follows his master always. They're close friends who grew up together." Ongsa: "I play Prince Thinkorn, the youngest in the family. He's a boy who has lived within strict constraints, is empathetic, and deeply true to his own feelings. This character faces considerable expectations and pressure from the family, so Phop might be one of the few things in his life that makes him feel happy and smile freely."

Is Phop like a safe space for both of you in the palace? In: "Actually, it's a safe space for both of us, since we grew up together. Normally servants should fear their masters, but Prince Thinkorn isn't like that. He's treated Phop well all along—like a friend." Ongsa: "I believe it's truly a safe space for both of them. I think viewers will feel the same way too."

What challenges did you face approaching your roles? In: "Playing Phop has two parts. As a young servant, we had workshops and discussed techniques with director Kunlathep. There's a numbering system 1-10 that makes the servant's expressions and mannerisms come out naturally, because servants must be humble. As adult Colonel Phop, I had to level up since he's a soldier. I studied how military personnel were in that era. I was lucky to have seniors in the military to consult about etiquette, bowing authentically, hand positioning, and foot placement—all crucial for building the character. We also studied history. Since it's a period piece set in 1932, I needed to understand the social context of that era—what was a big deal, what was appropriate. This helps us understand why certain details in scenes were momentous back then, perhaps more intense than today, which deepens our investment in the character." Ongsa: "I divided it into two parts as well: the character's inner emotions and the performance itself. Since the story and setting are far from me personally, I did homework on what Thinkorn carries—family responsibilities and his love for Phop, which had to be significant because what he faces needs to be grander than what I face. For the performance aspect, after reading the character, I felt Thinkorn is kind to everything in this world. I want people to love this character the way I do. As for his class status, I had to change my speech from my natural quick pace to slower and more mindful. The tone is completely different."

About chemistry: this is your first time meeting. How did you break down barriers, especially with intimate scenes? Ongsa: "Honestly, I didn't feel I had to break down much, since I'm not good at approaching people—I rely on the other person's initiative. But In came with such a wonderful older-brother vibe, walking close, hugging me, patting my back, giving encouragement throughout the workshop. It made me feel relaxed and everything flowed naturally." In: "When we first met at the audition, I tried to break down walls as much as possible so you wouldn't feel tense, hoping magic moments would happen. When I found out you got the Prince Thinkorn role, we continued in the workshop, and the wall was already low from the start. Everything became easy—no effort needed." Ongsa: "Which directly contributed to the naturalness in the series."

A young motorcyclist lost control and crashed at a U-turn point, becoming unconscious before later dying. He is believed to have been traveling at high speed. July 11, 2026 – The coordination center of the Ruam Katanyu Foundation in Chiang Mai, along with the Thevarat Thongdam Foundation, responded to reports of a motorcycle accident. The crash occurred near the U-turn point at the Klong Sai junction in Sariphi District, Chiang Mai. At the scene, a brown Honda PCX motorcycle was found overturned in severe condition, with debris scattered across the surrounding area. Preliminary assessment indicates the rider was likely traveling at high speed before losing control and crashing violently. One male victim was found nearby, unconscious and unresponsive, with multiple severe injuries. Responders immediately performed CPR at the scene before coordinating with Sariphi Hospital's ambulance service to transport the victim to the hospital. Unfortunately, the victim's critical injuries proved fatal, and he died at the hospital. His remains were subsequently handed over to his family for traditional funeral rites.

PHUKET: Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee has again called for tougher action against illegal land titles, nominee businesses, unlicensed hotels, cannabis shops and other illegal activities in Phuket, repeating many of the directives issued during previous visits and meetings.

A dramatic struggle unfolded in Florida when a 71-year-old man went fishing and found himself battling a massive crocodile. James Grayson McMicken was casting his line in a canal behind his home in late June when the hidden reptile suddenly lunged from the water and clamped down hard on his right leg, dragging him toward the depths with tremendous force.

Despite the life-threatening situation, McMicken kept his wits about him. Years earlier, he had legally hunted crocodiles and knew their eyes were a critical vulnerability. He immediately drove his thumb into one eye while repeatedly stabbing the other with his fishing rod. The crocodile, unable to tolerate the pain, finally released him and swam away.

"I just thought I couldn't die," McMicken recalled. "I'd always heard that if you have no other choice, target the crocodile's eyes. I drove my thumb into one eye and kept stabbing the other with my rod. It felt like time was standing still, but eventually it let me go."

Weakened from the attack, McMicken could not walk on his own and called his faithful dog to help support him until he reached home. His wife immediately rushed him to the hospital, where doctors found multiple deep puncture wounds on his right leg requiring extensive stitching. Fortunately, no vital organs were damaged.

Hospital staff were so impressed by his courage that many nurses visited to ask about the ordeal and commend his bravery. Kimberly Andrews, a crocodile expert from the University of Georgia, confirmed that McMicken's actions were the correct survival technique. When dragged by a crocodile, she explained, attack sensitive areas like the eyes, upper head, or sides of the jaw to force the reptile to loosen its grip.

Authorities are still searching for the crocodile. McMicken, now recovering and using a cane, says he will be more cautious around water in the future—but he won't stop fishing. He concluded defiantly: "No crocodile is getting away from me."

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutthammapant has announced the "Thai Helping Thai" rice dish project, offering meals at 40 baht per plate to address rising living costs. She acknowledged that while rice dishes and prepared foods have seen continuous price hikes, restaurants cannot simply lower prices due to multiple cost pressures beyond fuel expenses, including electricity bills, labor costs, rent, and other hidden expenses. The government must therefore be fair to business owners and consider their full cost structure, not just fuel prices alone.

To accelerate relief for wage earners and ordinary citizens, the Commerce Ministry is launching the "Thai Helping Thai" rice dish program as an extension of the broader "Thai Helping Thai Plus" initiative. The program will distribute affordable meals at 40 baht per plate through the Commerce Ministry's network of approximately 200,000 restaurants, creating alternative menu options and reducing the cost of living burden across the population.

The government will provide financial support to participating restaurants, with budget allocation currently under consideration from either the central budget or a 400 billion baht loan fund. The exact subsidy amount is still being assessed. "The Commerce Ministry is expected to present the "Thai Helping Thai" rice dish project to the Cabinet for approval on Tuesday, July 20," the minister stated. "Once approved, implementation will begin immediately in July. The first phase targets a three-month operational period, after which results will be evaluated to determine continuation."

Regarding price reductions in consumer goods following recent fuel price decreases, Supachee said she has instructed the Department of Trade to closely monitor cost structures of essential consumer products to determine which items should have prices adjusted according to changed input costs, while ensuring fair pricing throughout the supply chain.