Police arrived at a temple in Mueang District, Kamphaengphet Province on the evening of August 13 after receiving a report that a monk had died in his quarters on the second floor of the dormitory. The deceased, a 57-year-old who had been ordained for over six years, showed signs of a self-inflicted death, and no injuries from external violence were found. Police had a hospital doctor conduct an initial examination, and the body was sent for detailed autopsy before being released to the family for religious rites.

A letter was discovered stating the monk was asking for forgiveness from the abbot and all people, and requested that his cremation be conducted quietly without informing anyone. The family reported the monk had no chronic illnesses and were shocked by the incident, unsure of its cause.

According to the abbot, the monk had ordained for over six years and had transferred to this temple two months before the rainy season retreat. In recent days, the monk had complained of insomnia and said he heard voices telling him to die. The abbot said he counseled the monk not to act on such thoughts, warning that it would be sinful, and advised him not to believe in demons or let negative emotions control his mind.

The abbot also noted the monk was troubled about a disciplinary matter involving a female lay devotee. The abbot reassured him it was not serious and told him not to dwell on it. On the day of the incident, the monk participated in chanting with other monks, then returned to his quarters around 6 p.m. When the abbot called and the monk did not answer, a temple student was sent to check and found him dead with the farewell letter.

Coach Chakraphan Panpee, head coach of Thailand's U-20 men's football team, has announced a 26-player squad for a final training camp ahead of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The Thai Football Association named the roster to prepare for the competition, which runs from August 31 to September 6 in Chon Buri province under Panpee's leadership.

Thailand's U-20 side is grouped with Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkmenistan in Group F. In the qualifying round, teams play round-robin matches, with the eight group champions and the seven best-performing runners-up advancing to the final tournament in China in early 2025 to compete for four AFC spots at the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

The 26-player squad includes goalkeepers Pumirapi Siribunyagul, Supakorn Poolpol, and Narak Saengsawang; defenders Vision Inaaram, Jiraphong Chemsagul, Purich Saphenesawang, Supanat Mahavaai, Jakrapol Upkaraka, Surachai Bunchareei, Thanyakorn Savengsuk, and Purinat Poolgamlung; midfielders Danupol Bubpha, Pichaya Kongsri, Patrathorn Buransuk, Surachet Kithuntod, Pawaris Bunmalert, Naphatthorn Chumpanya, and Kantaphattana Soensenaa; and forwards Shivakorn Phonsorn, Nattakitti Pothsri, Nathakorn Rattansuwan, Khemchat Sukto, Chantawat Gatib, Shiva Pikulhom, Phongphet Iemsoad, and Thanyawisit Taman.

The squad will report to the FA Thailand headquarters on August 15 at 10:00 a.m. and proceed immediately to Pattaya Sports Resort in Chon Buri for the training camp. Two warm-up matches are scheduled against Iran's U-20 team at Chon Buri Stadium on August 19, with one additional friendly match to be announced. The final squad of 23 players will be selected on August 29 ahead of the qualifiers.

Thailand's matches in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers are scheduled as follows: versus the United Arab Emirates on August 31, versus Turkmenistan on September 3, and versus Iraq on September 6. All matches will be played at Chon Buri Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

On August 14, Thiwarun Angkinandh, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture, disclosed that the committee is taking urgent action to resolve a dispute at Wat Pa Adulyaram in Muang Khon Kaen after people placed objects blocking the temple entrance, disrupting access and religious ceremonies. The committee determined the issue requires immediate resolution to prevent broader damage to Buddhism.

Thiwarun said the committee voted to visit Khon Kaen Province on August 19 to investigate firsthand. The delegation will invite all relevant agencies and parties to discuss the matter comprehensively and seek a solution grounded in facts, law, and public order.

The site visit will include meetings with the temple abbot, the Khon Kaen governor, the provincial land office, the provincial Buddhism office, and the temple's lay committee to hear from all sides on land rights and the access blockade that directly affects religious activities.

The dispute is not new. Previously, the temple and heirs of the original land donor engaged in a land dispute that has gone through the justice system multiple times. The situation involves legal questions, land rights, management of temple property, and the relationship between the temple and local residents that require careful consideration.

"When disputes arise at temples and religious institutions, we do not want to see confrontation between monks and laypeople. The committee must investigate the facts from all sides to find a fair, lawful resolution. Our goal is to enable the temple to conduct its religious activities normally and resolve the dispute peacefully," Thiwarun said.

The chair added that beyond meetings with administrative and land authorities, the committee will pay respects to the provincial head of the Buddhist Sangha to hear the monastic perspective, especially on the Sangha's role in protecting and supporting Buddhism and preventing temple-laity disputes from escalating and damaging public faith.

Thiwarun stressed the committee's role is not to prejudge right or wrong, but to fulfill its legislative duty by verifying facts, coordinating with relevant authorities, and promoting concrete action by state agencies and the Sangha. If the root cause involves land boundaries or ownership, the land office and competent agencies must examine evidence clearly. If the issue concerns temple management, it must proceed through Sangha mechanisms and the provincial Buddhism office. Any actions affecting rights, access, or order require administrative and law enforcement action within legal authority, with all parties receiving fair treatment.

"Buddhism is the spiritual center for the people. Temples should not become areas of conflict. Resolving this requires separating facts from emotion and clarifying documents and rights," she concluded.

PHUKET: Phuket officials welcomed the mayor of Pengerang in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor yesterday (Aug 13) for talks on tourism, urban development and the possibility of closer long-term cooperation, including a potential sister-city relationship.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is pressing ahead with its investigation into a major local government examination cheating scandal, with Deputy Secretary-General Kiattisak Putphand confirming on August 14 that evidence is extensive and divided into multiple groups requiring work across several locations. The investigation committee held a meeting two weeks prior and distributed tasks accordingly, though the sensitive nature of evidence—since many individuals involved are both witnesses and potential suspects—demands meticulous handling. The three to six month timeline remains in place, though no firm deadline has been set for examining all 800,000 answer sheets, which the NACC holds in original form and considers manageable through scientific inspection if multiple departments oversee the process for transparency.

When asked whether high-ranking officials would be called for questioning, Kiattisak said the NACC is currently focusing on gathering major evidence groups, particularly at lower levels where problems exist, as senior figures already have clear roles. The investigation centers on one key question: whether cheating occurred and who was involved. On whether the inquiry will reach former Local Administration Department Permanent Secretary Thiruit Suphawibulyon, Kiattisak stated it depends on where the evidence leads, though separate issues such as whether the TOR drafting process showed favoritism must also be examined. He confirmed that if evidence points to any former police commissioner during the TOR era, that person will be investigated. Kiattisak dismissed concerns that the time required for evidence gathering could allow destruction of materials, saying the NACC's work is not delayed and evidence appears internally consistent, making significant alterations unlikely. He urged patience and called for calm, noting the NACC has deployed numerous task forces and treats the case as a priority for swift results. Regarding expansion to politicians and ministers, Kiattisak said the NACC has no predetermined targets but will follow evidence wherever it leads, though he could not yet confirm any links to government ministers.