Thai Smile Boat is now accepting state welfare cards for electric ferry fares, effective August 12, 2026, across three main routes: the Green Line (Siam Charoen Nakhon to Phra Pin Klao), Purple Line (Sathorn to Phra Nang Klao), and Blue Line (Tha Nam Nont to Wat Worachan) at 30 baht per trip.

Vorawit Chanchayan, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer of Thai Smile Boat Company Limited, explained that the company offers diverse payment options including cash, QR code scanning, HOP Card, and Thai Help Thai Plus. The addition of state welfare card acceptance aims to increase public transport accessibility, reduce travel costs, and support clean energy transport infrastructure development while improving urban quality of life sustainably.

Welfare card holders who wish to use the service can inform the ticket office staff or onboard personnel and present their national ID card starting August 12, 2026, which coincides with Mother's Day. The company expects increased passenger numbers during the holiday period for both tourism and family visits.

Passengers who have exhausted their welfare card or Thai Help Thai Plus credits can alternatively use the HOP Card, which offers all-day promotions up to 40 baht for ferry travel or up to 50 baht for combined ferry and bus journeys.

The article highlights several revered Buddhist amulets and coins created by monks known for their spiritual practice. Luang Pu Samli Suthajitto, abbot of Kham Khuha Cave Temple in Wang Sapung District, Loei Province, authorized the creation of the Sky Axe coin series in 2559 to raise funds for a memorial stupa honoring his teacher, Luang Pu Lui. The oval-shaped coin features the monk in half-seated position with Thai script and protective symbols on the reverse. Luang Pho Tab Atakamo of Makham Riang Temple in Saraburi gained renown for creating various amulets and talismans, with his first coin series from 2515 becoming highly sought after by collectors. Luang Pu Hian Vorlao of Aranyabanyapha Temple in Nong Khai Province created his inaugural copper coin series in 2521, featuring detailed inscriptions and symbols on both sides. The article also notes Ban Nong Daeng Temple in Maha Sarakham's fundraising effort through commemorative amulets honoring Luang Pu Kham Kesaro.

Bangkok — Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday that politicians should not carry firearms, stressing that public figures must set an example by complying with the law.

Speaking to reporters at Sanam Luang on August 12, Anutin was asked about his instruction at a Bhumjaithai Party MPs' meeting that lawmakers must not carry guns.

"It's not just an order to MPs. No one can carry a gun now because there are no longer any valid gun-carrying permits in Thailand. All gun-carrying permits have expired, so firearms cannot be carried," he said.

Asked about several party members who own firearms as part of their collections, Anutin said gun ownership was a separate matter, provided it had been declared in their asset accounts.

However, he stressed that politicians and anyone seeking elected or political office must be particularly careful.

"If firearms are found during a search and they are being possessed illegally, that is a violation of the law. Once the law has been broken, it could also be interpreted as an ethical issue," Anutin said.

He warned that such cases could potentially affect a politician's future, including eligibility to stand for election or hold political office, depending on how the matter is interpreted under ethics rules.

"As public figures, we have to set an example. When the law says firearms cannot be carried, people who represent the Thai people and are chosen by the public must set an example. There is nothing complicated about it. We are simply following the law," he said.

Gun purchases also suspended

Asked whether the Cabinet resolution on August 11 to suspend the issuance of Por.3 documents meant people could no longer buy firearms, Anutin replied: "Yes, until there is an order to change it."

He said the government needed to bring firearms ownership under control, noting that Thailand has tens of millions of guns despite having a population of around 70 million.

"This is not sustainable," he said.

Anutin clarifies remarks on shooting home intruders

Anutin was also asked about controversy over his earlier remarks that people should not shoot intruders inside their homes, which had led to what he described as misunderstanding.

"There is no misunderstanding," he said, explaining that his main message was that people should recognise the dangers of firearms.

"Firearms are of no benefit to anyone. Whenever a gun is used, whether in an unavoidable situation or for whatever reason, the matter has to be determined in court. You cannot determine it yourself, and the police cannot determine it either," he said.

He explained that if someone shoots another person who allegedly poses a threat, the shooter could still face charges before a court determines whether the use of force amounted to legitimate self-defence.

"I may have communicated it a little too briefly," Anutin said. "But my intention was that I do not want people to be around firearms because they have never done an"

Luang Por Nueng Kovito, an esteemed scholar-monk of the Mae Klong lineage at Chula Mani Temple in Ampawa District, Samut Songkhram Province, was a principal disciple of several celebrated masters including Luang Por Kong of Bang Kaphom Temple, Luang Por Chaem of Chula Mani Temple, and Luang Pu Chai of Sedet Temple. Born as Nueng Thao Suwanno on February 14, 1909, he was ordained at age 23 on July 29, 1932, at Bang Kaphom Temple under Luang Por Kong as preceptor. He earned the highest rank in Buddhist scriptural studies in 1936 and became renowned for his expertise in meditation and esoteric Buddhist disciplines. He studied under the great masters of Samut Songkhram, most notably Luang Por Kong, who was credited with creating the popular amulet series known as the "Five Sets of Coins." He gained ecclesiastical rank as Phra Kru Sanyabat Third Class in 1933 and was promoted to Second Class in 1974. Chula Mani Temple, originally called Wat Mae Jao Thip, was believed to have been built between 1629–1647 during the reign of King Prasat Thong and holds historical significance related to the Chakri Dynasty. The temple fell into disrepair over time until Luang Por Nueng oversaw its restoration, including the construction of a magnificent four-sided marble ordination hall measuring 40 by 80 meters at a cost of tens of millions of baht. The cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1968, by the Supreme Patriarch. Luang Por Nueng passed away peacefully on November 27, 1987, at age 78 and 56 years into his monastic life. His amulets and sacred objects, including a notable casting created in 1984 called the "water-blessing amulet," became highly sought after by devotees. This particular image was cast in 1984 by master craftsman Hong Mani at a foundry in the Tha Phra Thonburi area of Bangkok, standing approximately 6.8 to 7.8 kilograms and assembled from three separate pieces.

After years of fearing bees following multiple stings, 65-year-old Pathumchat Damkong—known locally as Pa Thum—from Ban Ta Chin Nuea in Muang District, Trang Province, has turned cavity bee keeping into a thriving supplementary livelihood. She now sells honey in bottles and fresh honeycomb, generating tens of thousands of baht weekly during peak season.

The cavity bees she raises, called "min to" in the South, are native Thai bees smaller than giant honey bees that produce high-quality honey with distinctive aroma and flavor.

Pa Thum began keeping cavity bees in 2009, overcoming her deep fear of them after witnessing another farmer's success. She recalled her turning point: "I wanted to try, but bees still stung me just walking past them. I had to be brave and do it myself, because I realized that if no one helps me, I have to manage on my own." Starting with just three wooden hive boxes, she harvested honey from only one. Undeterred, she studied continuously—learning from other beekeepers, local extension workers, and agricultural organizations. After 17 years, she expanded to a maximum of 140 hive boxes placed around her home, in palm oil groves, and on relatives' land.

Yield varies by hive. Some produce only half a bottle due to less industrious colonies or missed timing, while others yield old combs she doesn't catch in time. Overall, during April alone she collects 3-13 bottles per hive, totaling 500-700 bottles, which mature into May honey—her farm's premium product and signature offering.

April's dry conditions concentrate forest flower pollen, creating honey with low moisture, thick sweet taste, attractive golden color, and strong floral fragrance ideal for traditional throat lozenges and herbal medicine blends. After training with community development programs, she created a brand and bottled in multiple sizes: 200-milliliter bottles for 180 baht and 750-milliliter bottles for 500 baht.

She expanded beyond bottled honey to fresh honeycomb with larvae, mature bees, or pure honeycomb without larvae, cut into pieces and boxed at 100–500 baht depending on weight. Fresh honeycomb became her bestseller because some customers want the richness of larvae while others seek the assurance of 100 percent authentic comb, and fresh comb outsells bottled honey significantly while offering identical medicinal benefits.

May honey carries the highest therapeutic value: antioxidants, skin nourishment, energy boosting, cough and sore throat relief, wound healing, improved sleep through gentle sedative compounds, stress relief, and a reputation as a top anti-aging remedy. Pa Thum's customers—both online and regular repeat buyers—order bottles and fresh comb whenever she announces harvest, selling out daily. Since she harvests only once yearly, May's harvest week generates tens of thousands of baht in income.