"Midnight Incense" (00:00 Midnight Incense), a Thai horror film developed since early this year, has been selected as the opening feature of the Thai Film Festival in Vietnam 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This premiere represents a major milestone in advancing Thailand's film and content industry across ASEAN markets, aligning with the Department of International Trade Promotion's aggressive expansion strategy.

The premiere generated overwhelming audience enthusiasm, with viewers praising the film's mysterious and richly layered scares. Reactions were so intense that some attendees expressed interest in watching it again immediately.

Director Gapper-Vorarit Nilgrom spearheaded the project with a fresh approach to horror storytelling, supported by emerging actors including Sincerely-Satida Sripromma, P-Ekaphop Tata, and Rio-Ingkarat Damrong Sakdigul, all delivering dedicated performances.

"For us, being selected to open Ho Chi Minh City's festival and receiving such warm appreciation represents immense pride," a cast representative stated. "We're honored to showcase Thai talent to ASEAN audiences and committed to presenting Thailand's soft power through cinema at the highest level."

Beyond Vietnam, "Midnight Incense" is positioning itself for expanded international distribution to reach horror fans across the region.

The Thai Film Festival in Vietnam 2026 is being held grandly at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection and CGV Vincom Center in the Landmark 81 building, Ho Chi Minh City's globally significant landmark. The Department of International Trade Promotion is leading the initiative to aggressively penetrate Southeast Asian content and film markets.

Thai audiences can experience the film's chills and suspense starting August 27 at cinemas nationwide.

Deputy Interior Minister Jetsada Thaiset has ordered the Bangkok Water Authority (MWA) to fully escalate preparedness for potential situations in the Wangwian Yai area, directing all operational units to prepare emergency response plans, personnel, and resources on a round-the-clock basis to assist residents immediately if land subsidence damages main pipelines and the water distribution system.

The MWA has prepared water trucks to respond 24 hours a day across both the Wangwian Yai area and branch locations, while coordinating with private water truck operators in the area to provide immediate support if needed. The authority has also arranged cold drinking water trucks at the command center to serve staff and residents, and has prepared operational teams for production and distribution systems with full equipment and personnel ready to execute emergency protocols immediately.

Major water customers who may be affected by potential supply disruptions have been instructed to keep their water storage tanks at full capacity to manage any emergency situations. Thaiset emphasized that the Interior Ministry follows a principle of preparation before crisis occurs, as effective disaster management requires minimizing impacts on residents. He directed all units to closely monitor the situation, coordinate work around the clock, and maintain full readiness to ensure continuous water service and rapid assistance if circumstances change.

Thaiset stated he will visit the affected area this evening with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Deputy Interior Minister to monitor the situation and closely oversee the work of all relevant agencies, while ordering full coordination among all units to give residents confidence and ensure swift and efficient assistance.

The article details the spiritual teachings of various respected monks and describes several significant Buddhist amulets in depth. Luang Por Hong from Wat Chong Lom in Ratchaburi was a historically revered monk whose amulets gained widespread popularity. In 1922, his disciples were permitted to create both cast and stamped coins featuring him in meditation posture, with Thai characters "ว. ช. ล." (Wat Chong Lom) and Khmer script on the reverse. These are among the oldest stamped coins in Ratchaburi province, made from mixed metal with yellowish-green and reddish-yellow hues. In 1993, teachers and administrators from Chainat Phittayakom School created silver-glazed amulets of Luang Pu Suk, a highly learned monk. These oval coins featured a half-relief image with Khmer inscriptions and Thai lettering "พระครูวิมลคุณากร (ศุข)" and the year 2536. The coins were blessed on March 26, 1993 by Somdet Phra Sangkharat and underwent a full Buddhist consecration ceremony on April 12, 1993 with 28 senior monks present at Srivichai Wattanaram Temple in Chainat. Another notable amulet was created in 1973 by Wat Geai Chai Nuea in Nakhon Sawan to commemorate Luang Pu Yiem's 60th birthday and his elevation in monastic rank. These amulets feature distinctive characteristics such as specialized markings, glazing, and sacred yantra symbols.

Governor Chatcai inspected the Purple Line tunnel water leak near Victory Monument after authorities ordered the evacuation of buildings within a 30-meter radius. Most residents have evacuated the area while officials maintain perimeter closures and continuous 24-hour monitoring of structural subsidence and building integrity.

The water leak incident along the Purple Line tunnel between Tao Pun and Ratchadamnoen stations (Purple Line South) near Victory Monument station occurred on July 9. Residents and business operators within the 30-meter radius were ordered to evacuate immediately for safety.

As of July 10, officials have sealed the area for public safety, including closing the overpass that operated the previous day due to its proximity to the incident site. A survey found that most residences and shops in the area have closed with no residents or operators remaining in buildings. Most residents have evacuated, though some remained inside structures. Officials continue monitoring building conditions, measuring subsidence levels, and detecting vibrations and building tilt around the clock using "ScopeEye" equipment installed by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in coordination with USAR Thailand.

Traffic has been rerouted from the incident area with detours established at the Ban Khek intersection, causing significant vehicle accumulation and traffic slowdown. Traffic around Victory Monument continues to flow, though with some delays managed by traffic police from Buppharam station.

A command center and complaint hotline have been established on the island at the center of Victory Monument near the Taksin the Great monument, staffed by relevant agencies including DDPM, municipal officials, and UNIQUE company.

Governor Chatcai Sittiphan, accompanied by Detchathorn Saengamnaj (Thonburi district manager) and Deputy Colonel Phuwadol Oomphot (Buppharam police chief), visited the site to assess the situation. He consulted with relevant agencies about current conditions, traffic impacts from the road closure, and addressed local residents with apologies for their inconvenience.

Governor Chatcai reported that ground subsidence near the Purple Line tunnel has stabilized, with subsidence nearly halted and no new structural cracks observed. He acknowledged that monitoring equipment still shows minor subsidence but within manageable levels. He urged residents to avoid the incident area due to the traffic closure.

Based on observations of the external area, particularly the central pillars of the overpass, subsidence has nearly stopped with no alarming signs compared to the previous day. However, residents must remain evacuated for safety precautions.

Today will include another progress assessment after contractors completed extensive grouting to reinforce the underlying soil layers. Preliminary assessment indicates the subsidence situation is under control.

A 63-year-old Chinese man faced a shocking ordeal after visiting a dental clinic for a single toothache, only to have all 12 remaining teeth extracted and 10 dental implants installed in a single treatment session. Chinese health authorities subsequently penalized the clinic, ordering it to refund treatment costs and cease operations for improvements after discovering multiple violations of professional standards.

The patient, surnamed Li, from Baoji city in Shaanxi Province, decided to seek treatment at the clinic in September after being swayed by advertisements promising "dental implants in the morning, eating meat by afternoon" and "complete teeth for a lifespan over 100 years." The clinic also offered free transportation and complimentary oral health examinations, gaining his trust.

However, the outcome proved devastating. Li had all 12 remaining teeth extracted and 10 dental implants placed during a single treatment, with the clinic charging approximately 18,800 yuan (about 88,000 baht) from his bank account and digital wallet, with an additional 6,200 yuan (roughly 30,500 baht) still outstanding. When his son found him afterward, Li's mouth was bleeding and he had only 30 yuan (approximately 150 baht) remaining for transportation home.

The situation was further complicated by Li's multiple chronic conditions, including coronary heart disease, a history of heart muscle death, diabetes, high blood pressure, and four cardiac stents—conditions requiring careful evaluation before dental extraction or implant procedures. In some cases, such procedures should not be performed immediately.

Dr. Fu Dongjie, an oral surgery specialist from Renmin Hospital at Wuhan University, noted that diabetic patients should have their blood sugar levels controlled within acceptable ranges before undergoing dental implant placement. Additionally, extracting and implanting multiple teeth simultaneously carries significant risk. A previous 2024 case documented a Chinese man who died within 13 days after having 23 teeth extracted and 12 implants placed in a single treatment.

After Li's family filed complaints with local health authorities three times, inspectors discovered the clinic's medical records were incomplete, with missing documents sometimes miraculously appearing later—raising suspicions of document tampering. The records even listed Li's gender as female despite him being male, and a required cardiology consultation report was only provided six months after the procedure.

Li's son questioned whether a proper cardiology consultation had actually been conducted and why the family was never informed. He viewed the clinic's actions as unacceptable for a patient with multiple chronic conditions.

Following the investigation, local health authorities determined the clinic violated multiple professional standards, including inadequate pre-operative assessments and failure to follow proper protocols for high-risk patients.

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto hosted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family at his private residence in South Jakarta on Wednesday, where they discussed regional and global developments.

Thaksin was accompanied by his daughter, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and his sister, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and reflected the longstanding friendship between the two sides.

During the informal talks, Prabowo and Thaksin exchanged views on strategic global developments and regional dynamics. Teddy said such engagements help strengthen Indonesia's ties with international leaders and prominent figures while expanding cooperation and enhancing the country's global standing.

Prabowo has maintained close ties with the Shinawatra family in recent years. In March, he appointed Thaksin to the advisory board of Indonesia's state investment fund Danantara, with officials saying the inclusion of prominent international advisers was intended to boost investor confidence.

Thaksin, who served as Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted in a 2006 military coup, remains one of the country's most influential political figures despite holding no formal government position. His daughter, Paetongtarn, served as Thailand's prime minister from 2024 to 2025 before being removed from office by the Constitutional Court. His sister, Yingluck, served as prime minister from 2011 until she was ousted by a court ruling in 2014, shortly before another military coup.