The 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand 2026 has opened at House Samyan, bringing film lovers, critics, actors, filmmakers and industry figures together for five days of Taiwanese cinema. Running July 22–26, 2026, at House Samyan Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen, the festival features 17 films and documentaries spanning classics, contemporary fiction and short films.

At the opening ceremony, Pete Lan, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, welcomed guests and thanked audiences for their support of Taiwanese cinema. Lan noted that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Taiwan's Ministry of Culture have worked with Thailand Documentary Club and partners for eight years to organize the festival and strengthen cultural exchange between the two nations.

This year's festival centers on the theme "family matters," marking the first time all three films in Ang Lee's acclaimed "Father Knows Best" trilogy are presented together. Lan drew parallels to a Thai saying about those without music in their hearts, suggesting viewers might reach similar conclusions about families lacking empathy, compassion, respect and love after watching the films. He emphasized that true family members must communicate through empathy, compassion, respect and love rather than pressure, coercion and threats.

The festival also features Girl (2025), the directorial debut of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi. The programme includes documentaries, classics such as Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet, and Eat Drink Man Woman, contemporary fiction, and short film programmes. A major highlight is Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), Ang Lee's closing chapter of the "Father Knows Best" trilogy, which earned him his second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Truck driver leads two-hour chase across Korat before surrenderingLegacyA truck driver allegedly under the influence of drugs led police on a chase across three districts in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) today, July 23, before surrendering at a police station. Four vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, but no injuries or deaths were reported. The incident began at around 9.30am when the trailer truck failed to stop at two checkpoints. Officers launched an immediate pursuit as the driver continued through three districts. When the truck reached an intersection in Soeng Sang district, it collided with two pickup trucks. One of the pickups lost control and crashed into a streetlight on the road median, sustaining heavy damage. Another pickup was sideswiped elsewhere along the route, bringing the total number of damaged vehicles to four. Photo via MGR Online Police pursued the truck for nearly two hours before it stopped outside Soeng Sang Police Station at about 11am. Officers then searched the vehicle and found no illegal items inside. However, they allegedly recovered one methamphetamine pill from the driver, whose urine test later returned positive for the drug. The driver was identified as 49 year old Saengsawangwong, a resident of Soeng Sang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, and was taken into custody for questioning. According to police, Saengsawangwong said he was driving from Soeng Sang district to work in Sikhio district when officers signalled for him to stop before a checkpoint in Chok Chai district. He allegedly panicked because he had used methamphetamine and turned the truck around to avoid the checkpoint. Photo via MGR Online Police said Saengsawangwong turned back towards Khon Buri district, where officers had established a drug checkpoint, before driving through it and continuing to flee. He allegedly lost control of the truck due to its speed, causing the collisions with other vehicles. During the chase, Saengsawangwong said he spoke with his wife by telephone, who urged him to stop running and surrender to police. He then drove to Soeng Sang Police Station and turned himself in. Officers said Saengsawangwong apologised to everyone affected by the incident and admitted he had made a mistake out of fear of being caught. He also reportedly promised not to use drugs again. MGR Online reported that Saengsawangwong remains in police custody for further questioning before legal proceedings continue. Photo via MGR Online Elsewhere, two men were apprehended in Phuket following a high-speed pursuit with police, resulting in the confiscation of 65 grammes of crystal meth. Both individuals also tested positive for drug use. The story Truck driver leads two-hour chase across Korat before surrendering as seen on Thaiger News.

A human rights legal center has filed assault charges against a group that beat a mentally ill man, reporting severe injuries sustained during the attack. The incident involved members of a Facebook group called "Hell's Army Special Task Force for the People," who livestreamed their pursuit of a man they accused of posting videos and messages insulting state institutions. After locating him, several men violently assaulted him before turning him over to Tao Poon police on the evening of July 22, 2024.

Investigators identified the victim as Thanit (pseudonym), 42, who had undergone psychiatric treatment at a hospital since 2010 and served time in prison. He was released in 2024 but is not taking psychiatric medication and cares for his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease. The group calling itself "Hell's Army" posted tracking updates on Facebook starting July 20, claiming they would locate him within 24 hours. On the evening of July 22, dozens of men broke into his residence in Don Mueang and assaulted him, striking his face repeatedly, kicking his legs to trip him, stomping on his head and body, kneeing his abdomen, and hitting his head and elbows until his glasses fell off.

After the assault, the group transported Thanit to Tao Poon police station. An initial complaint citing Article 112 (royal defamation) had been filed on July 21 by Nerapol, but officers had not issued any arrest warrants. When lawyers monitoring the case arrived at Don Mueang police station around 11 p.m., they found Thanit with bruises, swollen lips, and head pain. He filed an assault complaint against his attackers. Police had seized two of his mobile phones claiming they were evidence for the Article 112 case, reportedly with his consent. On the morning of July 23, Thanit underwent medical examination documenting his injuries.

A true Buddhist practitioner is one who follows the teachings of the Buddha, as noted by Luang Pho Cha Subhaddo of Nong Pa Pong Temple, Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pu Ma Ñāṇavaro, former abbot of Wat Santi Vihāra in Roi Et and a celebrated vipassanā meditation master of the Northeast, created the highly popular first-edition portrait medal of 2517. Disciples commissioned it to honor his ecclesiastical rank as Phra Kru Sārdham Nidēt. The medal is oval with a loop, bird-pattern borders, and a centered full-body meditation image with curved script around the edge bearing his name. The reverse features prosperity and millionaire yantras, with the temple name and date (13/3/17) inscribed below. It underwent a single Buddhist consecration and remains Roi Et's most coveted medal. The 12th Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Phra Ariywongsa Katyanan Somdet Phra Sangharāj (Pae Tissathero), based at Wat Suthat, is renowned for his skill in crafting Thailand's sacred bells, particularly the famous Chiang Tung bell of 2486. The Reverend Luang Pho Chang Achayo, former abbot of Wat Khuen Phet in Phetchaburi, is celebrated for bone-setting expertise and the collection of amulets, especially his first-edition medal from 2513 commemorating the temple abbot's anniversary—an oval portrait with Thai numerals below, now increasingly rare and valuable. Luang Pu Solās Yosotharo (Phra Kru Tham Rongbodhi) of Wat Khok U Thong in Prachuap Khiri Khan, a student of famous masters, created the acclaimed nine-sided diamond medal first edition and its retro version from 2548, featuring a nine-sided form with copper-patina casting of 500 pieces, his half-length portrait, and mystical yantras on reverse.

On July 23, 2024, at Parliament, Thanakun Jitisara, chairman of the Santisuksa Democracy Club, submitted a letter to Dr. Voraung Detkitwikrom, a list-system MP and leader of Thai Loyalty Party, in his capacity as chair of the anti-corruption committee of the House of Representatives, requesting an investigation into alleged fraud in the aircraft procurement for the Royal Rain-Making and Agricultural Aviation Ministry.

Thanakun stated he received information from a concerned whistleblower regarding suspicious contractual terms in the aircraft purchase. The procurement was conducted via electronic bidding on November 8, 2022, with a budget of 1.1 billion baht, with delivery scheduled for April and May 2024 but delayed by more than 500 days.

Thanakun expressed concern that the manufacturer received payment before delivery, contrary to normal contract practice, and that the state failed to collect penalty fees for the late delivery, resulting in loss of government revenue. He requested the committee examine all related documentation, investigate the reasons for delays, production procedures, and whether the exemption from penalties complied with the Public Procurement Act and state asset management regulations.

Dr. Voraung agreed to bring the matter before the committee for further investigation.

Phra Khru Thammmasathit, or Luang Por Maen Thammmasaro, of Wat Yai Pohak in Bang Pae District, Ratchaburi Province, was a celebrated Buddhist abbot whose amulets are highly sought after for their spiritual potency and authenticity. He was born on April 23, 1891, as a native of Po Hak Subdistrict, the son of Nai Thong and Nang Mong Tim Buthorn. During his youth, he studied Thai and Pali texts with Luang Por Klom at Wat Yai Pohak. At age 21 in 1912, he underwent ordination at Wat Yai Pohak, with Luang Por Daeng of Wat Tham Nop serving as his preceptor, Phra Athikan Dam of Wat Chindaram as his recitation master, and Phra Athikan On as his witness. He received the monastic name Thammmasaro.

He spent his monastic career studying under many revered masters across Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram provinces, including Luang Por Klom of Wat Pohak, Luang Por Daeng of Wat Tham Nob, Luang Por Chaem of Wat Don Seng, Luang Por Dam of Wat Chindaram, and Luang Por Rung of Wat Don Yai Hom. He also studied closely with Luang Por Ngern of Wat Don Yai Hom and Luang Por Sai of Wat Nong Songkhop.

In 1917, when the position of abbot at Wat Yai Pohak became vacant, the monastic community appointed him to lead the temple, a position he held with great dedication and skill. He painstakingly restored the dilapidated temple and served the Buddha's teachings with steadfast commitment. Regarding Wat Yai Pohak itself, it is an ancient temple of Ratchaburi Province. According to local accounts, when the city of Ayutthaya fell, refugees fleeing the war arrived at a settlement with ox-drawn carts laden with their possessions. The oxen became exhausted and could no longer continue, so the villagers unloaded their belongings and hung them from a bodhi tree, which subsequently broke under the weight. This area became known as "Ban Pohak" (Broken Bodhi), and a temple was later established there.

Wat Yai Pohak, originally constructed in 1734 and granted ecclesiastical boundaries in 1950, houses an ancient scripture hall and Buddha image. In 1920, Luang Por Maen was appointed as the abbot of Po Hak Subdistrict despite his relatively short monastic tenure. He received his ecclesiastical rank of Phra Khru Chantha in 1937 and was formally granted the title Phra Khru Thammmasathit in 1949. He was renowned for his compassion and skilled oratory, earning deep respect from the local people. He also promoted education and established a primary school for the community.

Later appointed as a preceptor, he oversaw the ordination of many young men into monkhood. Known for his generous spirit, he would travel by horse to conduct ordination ceremonies wherever invited, never refusing a request. His miraculous knowledge and abilities became legendary among the villagers. There are accounts of him directing villagers during the excavation of the Klongpa Luang canal, instructing them to perform a ritual apology before continuing; when they did, they discovered skeletal remains of an ancient giant standing eight cubits tall. People came to believe he possessed supernatural insight and foreknowledge of events, attributing this to his spiritual power and wisdom. He passed away on May 16, 1955, at the age of 65, having completed 44 years of monastic life.

He is regarded as one of the most sought-after amulet masters in Bang Pae District, with his amulets achieving widespread renown and commanding high respect. Most notably, his first-edition amulets, cast in 1951, featured a water-droplet shape with integral loops, crafted with exceptional quality and spiritual merit.