Scholars are calling on the Fine Arts Department to take charge of ancient bronze drums discovered by residents along Khlong Phato's embankment, amid concerns they could be damaged further. On August 6, 2026, Vara Chanmani, secretary of the Arts and Culture Lovers Club and advisor to the Parliamentary Political Development Commission, disclosed that Phato villagers discovered the drums and reported them to the local temple abbot. The drums are currently stored in a temple warehouse, but the abbot is reluctant to move them, fearing damage, and is waiting for the Fine Arts Department to collect them for restoration.

When researchers arrived, they found oil stains on the drums and carefully moved them to safety. Abbot Prasad Thasana of Ban Homong Temple in Pharak subdistrict, Phato district, Chumphon province, guided the team to the discovery site along Khlong Phato's bank.

Villagers stumbled upon the drums by chance when riverbank erosion exposed them. Inside the bronze vessels, archaeologists found human bones, beads, bowls, and religious ornaments grouped together, suggesting this was a secondary burial ritual dedicating the drums to the deceased—a practice distinct from that in Don Yai Thong, Phetchaburi, where drums are interred alongside remains. Two drums were recovered: one largely complete and one fractured into fragments and carelessly stacked. The abbot and villagers remain anxious about handling the delicate artifacts and have been awaiting the Fine Arts Department's intervention for some time, concerned that further deterioration could occur.

The 2026 BWF World Championships take place in New Delhi, India from August 17–23, with the draw now finalized. A total of 19 Thai badminton players ranked in the world standings will compete across all five categories.

In men's singles, Kul-wut Vitidsant, ranked No. 2 globally, faces Sri Lanka's Viren Nettasinghe (No. 91) in the first round. Panitchpol Thirachai (No. 17) plays Finland's Kalle Kolyonen (No. 57).

Women's singles feature Rattanakok Inthanon (No. 7) against Turkey's Neslihan Arin (No. 29), Porpawee Chochuwong (No. 10) against Sri Lanka's Ranitama Liyanage (No. 107), and Suphanida Ketutong (No. 27) against Singapore's Luo Jiemin (No. 38).

In men's doubles, Cherimpol Charoenkijomorn and Vorpol Tongsang (No. 48) face Scotland's Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle (No. 65). Prachpol Thirachai and Piratchai Sukphandi (No. 37) play Germany's Jonathan Dresp and Simon Kräck (No. 76).

Women's doubles pair Hatthaithip Metchad and Natapakorn Tungkasathan (No. 34) face Netherlands' Christien de Wit and Mirte Los (No. 69). Pattarinthorn Aimvarisakul and Sarisa Chanphaeng (No. 46) meet Canada's Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai (No. 38).

In mixed doubles, Dechapal Puwanakulkul and Supissara Piewsampran (No. 4) receive a first-round bye. Rusthnapak Upthong and Cheunnicha Sudijprasartpan (No. 21) face Malaysia's Wong Tianxu and Lim Zhiwsean (No. 43). Prachpol Thirachai and Sapsiree Thatratchai (No. 14) also receive a first-round bye.

Meditation is about cultivating correct thoughts without causing harm to oneself or others, according to Luang Por Cha Suphatto of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. The article surveys several notable Buddhist amulets, beginning with coins bearing the likeness of Luang Pu Sathu Sukdhamma of Wat Ban Leh in Maha Sarakham, created in 1966 in both large and small versions. The front features the monk's portrait with text reading "First Edition," while the reverse bears a mystical yantra and the date January 1, 1966, with some pieces showing inscription marks. Another featured item is a cast figure of Luang Por Od Panyataro, former abbot of Wat Jan Sen in Nakhon Sawan, created in 1988 in four different metals—silver, brass, copper, and lead—to fund construction of a reliquary chamber. The article also highlights a rare metal coin of Luang Por Saeng Thammaro of Wat Tham Phra Phutthagosei in Trang province, issued in 1979, featuring the monk's portrait wearing glasses on the obverse and a personal yantra on the reverse, now sought after in southern Thailand. Additionally covered is a powder amulet of Luang Por Tho from Wat Tap Tan in Uthai Thani, created in 1972 by Luang Por Sanga Chittasangwaro to raise funds for public benefit, featuring a relief image of the revered teacher in a pose resisting Mara seated on a divine platform.

Luang Pho Ngern Chantasuwanno of Wat Don Yai Hom in Nakhon Pathom was revered as the "deity of Don Yai Hom." A native of Don Yai Hom born into a wealthy farming family on Tuesday, September 16, 2433 (1890), he ordained as a monk on May 18, 2453 (1910) at the temple's ordination hall under Phra Plod Hoei, the abbot of Wat Don Yai Hom. He remained at the temple studying Buddhist doctrine and chanting practices, becoming a venerable master deeply skilled in Buddhist teachings. This is evident from the numerous auspicious objects he created and consecrated, which devotees carried for spiritual protection and reported experiencing countless miracles. Upon ordaining, he told his father: "I have renounced everything. I make a solemn vow to the people of this village that I shall never disrobe and will be a guiding light to humanity. Please join me in this resolve with joy and confidence." From the outset of his monastic life, he demonstrated unwavering commitment, patience, and diligence, mastering sacred texts and displaying exceptional dedication to meditation practice for four years under his master's guidance.

By the end of his fifth year, he set out on a forest pilgrimage northward with two companion monks, sleeping wherever they stopped each night. After returning from a four-month pilgrimage, he stayed near Don Yai Hom with darkened, emaciated skin resembling an elderly man, so changed that villagers did not recognize him. Even his brother Nai Jaeng initially mistook him for a forest-dwelling monk from elsewhere, but upon closer inspection was stunned and nearly cried out. Composing himself, he raised his palms in respect and asked, "Is this you, Ngern?" Luang Pho Ngern replied with a laugh: "It is I, sister Jaeng. Am I so changed that you do not know me? I have been staying here for some time, seeing many villagers pass by, but no one has greeted me."

He served as abbot of Wat Don Yai Hom from 2466 (1923) and passed away peacefully on January 13, 2520 (1977) at Ramathibodi Hospital. He lived 87 years and spent 66 years in monastic life. Memorial observances are held annually from January 9-13, featuring monk ordination ceremonies to uphold precepts and foster community unity. An annual festival is held on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, allowing devotees to make merit and gold-leaf offerings to Buddhist statues and sacred objects discovered at the temple.

Auspicious objects created in his honor include Buddha statues, cast images, amulets, bells, and coins, all intended to support the temple's maintenance and benefit the surrounding community. These items have been highly sought after since ancient times, with their value increasing over the years, particularly the first-edition image amulet from 2488 (1945). However, equally renowned and well-known is the "side-profile amulet of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Don Yai Hom," created in 2513 (1970) to commemorate the venerable abbot's eightieth birthday on September 16, 2513 (1970). The temple committee authorized its creation on this auspicious occasion, producing two types: a set of bells and stamped image amulets. The stamped amulet measured five centimeters in height and 3.5 centimeters in width, with its distinctive feature being that Luang Pho Ngern's image faced sideways rather than straight ahead.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul officially welcomed Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to Government House on August 6 for bilateral talks, as the Myanmar leader's two-day visit to Thailand drew sharp criticism from civil society groups, democracy advocates, and opposition politicians.

Anutin received Min Aung Hlaing at 10:20 on the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah Building at Government House. The Myanmar president was visiting Thailand as an official guest of the Thai government. The leaders attended an official welcoming ceremony before reviewing an honor guard, then held a restricted meeting on the second floor of the Thai Khu Fah Building to exchange views on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, discussions covered cross-border issues, energy cooperation, trade facilitation, and efforts to promote peace and stability along the Thai-Myanmar border before expanding into a plenary meeting in the Green Room.

Ahead of the visit, Anutin defended Thailand's approach toward Myanmar while speaking at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on August 4. He said ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus remains the bloc's principal framework for addressing the Myanmar crisis and reaffirmed Thailand's support for a policy of "calibrated re-engagement." The approach seeks to preserve channels of dialogue, create space for engagement, respond to realities on the ground, and encourage tangible progress. "A peaceful and stable Myanmar is not only in Thailand's interest as a neighboring country, but is also vital to ASEAN unity and regional stability," he said.

The visit has been met with widespread criticism. Sixteen Thai civil society organizations issued a joint statement opposing Min Aung Hlaing's official visit, urging the Thai government to stop policies that benefit Myanmar's military administration and to refrain from legitimizing its leadership. The coalition, led by Solidarity Collective TH and the Spirit in Education Movement (SEM), said Min Aung Hlaing's administration has been marked by widespread violence, systematic human rights abuses, and alleged war crimes.

The groups argued that engagement with Myanmar's military rulers would prolong the country's conflict rather than contribute to regional peace. They called on Thailand to review cooperation that benefits Myanmar's military authorities, improve protections for Myanmar migrant workers, support independent humanitarian assistance that reaches civilians directly, reject the legitimacy of the military-led government, and oppose its reintegration into ASEAN until violence ends and democratic rule is restored. The coalition urged Bangkok to stand with the people of Myanmar rather than with those responsible for violence and war crimes.

The Thai Treasury has declared a major success for its Savings Bond Plus program after the opening sale of 4 billion baht sold completely, drawing over 22,700 investors nationwide with demand surging to 16.5 trillion baht—eight times the offering amount. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprayoon said the bond represents a government achievement in creating new investment dimensions and widening savings options for ordinary Thai investors, giving them accessible, low-risk exposure to government debt with competitive interest returns across multiple distribution channels, plus a functioning secondary market.

Under the first offering, allocations were distributed widely through 24 banks and brokers: 1,590 investors used the wallet channel and 21,113 used the Bond Connect platform, with demand on Bond Connect alone reaching 16.5 trillion baht. The Treasury used a Small Lot First allocation method, capping initial per-investor allocation at 117,000 baht before random selection; unallocated funds are being returned today. The government plans monthly sales continuing through September 2570, with the next round opening August 4–15 via wallet and September 7–9 through Bond Connect.