Tritech Tangmetham, managing director of Supalai Public Company Limited, says the real estate market faces significant challenges this year with intense price competition as developers rush to clear existing inventory. New project launches have dropped sharply compared to previous years. "The market remains difficult with ongoing price competition, forcing developers to compete considerably. New projects this year will clearly be lower than last year," he stated.

Despite the overall market slowdown, the company expects sales can still grow, supported by buyers ready to purchase who see opportunities in competitive pricing. Construction costs have permanently increased by 5-6% compared to pre-war levels. Even if the conflict ends, costs may only decrease 2-3% but won't return to original levels. Supalai's own costs rose from about 15% last year to an estimated 17% this year.

The mid-market segment, particularly homes and condos priced 4-8 million baht, remains relatively strong. The upper market continues to struggle with oversupply but limited demand, particularly affected by declining foreign buyer purchasing power and stricter land ownership controls through corporate entities.

The condominium market shows better recovery prospects than single-family homes due to consistently declining new supply over recent years. Building permit applications dropped from 12-14 projects per review cycle historically to just 2-4 projects now—roughly one-sixth of previous levels. Land prices need to fall another 10-20% before developers will commit to purchases. Currently, only about 4 major buyers remain in the land acquisition market, down from the many project developers competing previously.

Chiang Mai has made its mark on the global tourism stage after being named the third-best city in the world in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026. The northern Thai city also ranked second in Asia, behind Kyoto, Japan, while placing ahead of Bangkok, Siem Reap and Tokyo.

The recognition marks another major international achievement for Thailand's tourism industry.

The rankings are compiled by Travel + Leisure, a leading U.S.-based travel magazine, based on a global reader survey. This year's awards drew responses from more than 207,000 readers, who cast over 661,000 votes across more than 10,088 travel-related businesses and destinations worldwide, including hotels, resorts, cities, islands, national parks, tour operators, safaris, airlines, airports, trains and other travel entities.

In the World's Best Cities category, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, claimed the top spot with a score of 93.07, followed by Kyoto, Japan, with 92.02. Chiang Mai ranked third with 91.88, ahead of Hoi An in Vietnam, Siem Reap in Cambodia and Tokyo in Japan.

Top 10 World's Best Cities 2026 1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — 93.07 2. Kyoto, Japan — 92.02 3. Chiang Mai, Thailand — 91.88 4. Hoi An, Vietnam — 91.81 5. Oaxaca, Mexico — 91.59 6. Bangkok, Thailand — 91.29 7. Jerusalem, Israel — 91.11 8. Siem Reap, Cambodia — 90.59 9. Mexico City, Mexico — 90.49 10. Tokyo, Japan — 90.44

The rankings reflect Chiang Mai's enduring appeal as one of the world's leading destinations among international travellers. Readers praised the city's rich Lanna cultural heritage, historic temples, renowned local cuisine, natural scenery and internationally recognised hospitality, making it a favourite for visitors seeking both cultural experiences and nature-based tourism.

Thousands of residents from Nong Khao subdistrict in Tha Muang, Kanchanaburi have united to oppose construction of a Chinese-backed ore processing plant, fearing potential leaks of contaminated water and chemicals used in mining operations. The facility is situated near Chachoengsao irrigation canal, which supplies drinking water to provincial water authorities and serves agricultural communities across multiple areas of Suphan Buri province. Residents worry that any chemical spill could cause widespread environmental damage affecting large populations downstream.

According to Nong Hia Dok Khao subdistrict municipality chief Udorn Phengaram, the company applied for factory establishment permits and completed public consultations as required by law. The municipality approved site preparation modifications but withheld construction authorization. However, construction began without this mandatory approval, prompting the municipality to issue an immediate suspension order. The chief confirmed that no construction permit has been signed for the ore processing plant and stressed that any future approval will require careful consideration of site suitability, particularly its proximity to the critical irrigation canal.

Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, continues needling Lamin Yamal over his decision to represent Spain, despite claiming to respect the player's choice. "Lamin Yamal? I don't know any Spanish person named Yamal," Lekjaa said.

If Morocco defeats France in the quarterfinals, they could face the winner of Spain versus Belgium, and potentially Spain in the final. Lekjaa previously expressed hope that Morocco would meet Spain in the championship to show Yamal he made the wrong decision.

"We respect Yamal's choice and have never questioned it. Our attitude toward him and his family has not changed because of this. As far as I know, they vacation in Morocco frequently, especially in the northern region. They will always be welcome," Lekjaa said.

Lekjaa also clarified that Yamal is not Yamal's actual surname. His full name is Lamin Yamal Nasraoui Ebana—Nasraoui comes from his Moroccan father Munier Nasraoui, and Ebana from his mother Chila Ebana, who is from Equatorial Guinea. Yamal is his middle name.

Morocco has made considerable efforts to recruit Yamal for their national team without success.

"Players should not feel guilty or arrogant when choosing their national team. Football is universal. If someone with the right to choose decides to represent another country, it does not change the bonds they have to their homeland. We are proud of our history and civilization, but we are equally proud when Moroccans help a friendly neighbor like Spain achieve success," Lekjaa said.

Phra Khru Nisai Jariyakun, known as Luang Por Od Panya Tho, was a respected former district abbot of Takli and former abbot of Wat Chan Saen in Takli District, Nakhon Sawan Province.

In 1977, Phra Plad Boonsai Tikkapunyo, former deputy abbot of Wat Chan Saen, and Phra Than Anukrom created a closed-eyes Buddha amulet made of sacred powder mixed with 108 types of medicinal vines to express reverence and gratitude. They personally collected sacred materials and delegated associates to gather rare auspicious items to blend into the amulets, a process that took two years to complete.

The materials included auspicious woods, medicinal vines such as Wan Mongkol, Wan Maha Amnaj, and Wan Maha Chok, as well as flower stamens. Master carver Wichai Wesarajkitti designed three molds: large, medium, and small. Once all materials were gathered, in late 1978, Luang Por Od performed the initial pressing ceremony and consecration, producing 10,000 amulets in colors ranging from light brown to charred brown.

On January 5, 1979, a consecration ceremony for auspicious objects was held for Luang Pu Si of Wat Khao Tham Bunnak in Takli District. Phra Plad Boonsai and the disciples of Wat Chan Saen brought these closed-eyes vine amulets to participate in the blessing. Luang Por Od lit the victory candle, and several revered monks attended, including Luang Pu Khammee of Wat Tham Kuha Sawang, Luang Por Phaeo of Wat Phikul Thong, and Luang Por Juan of Wat Nong Sum.

This batch was named the "Charity Edition" featuring a triangular design with a rounded base. The front depicts Buddha in a meditative pose with a rounded face and plump body, both hands raised to cover the eyes with fingers clearly visible. The robe drapes to the shoulders with a curved upper arm and bulging belly forming a triangular shape. The navel is rounded, shins curved, and feet pointed, with the right foot crossed over the left. The robe fits snugly with no visible hem. The back is smooth with two faint yantra designs: the upper yantra depicts a meditating sage with a five-tiered umbrella-like tail, and the lower yantra shows the letter "U." This is a highly sought-after amulet among collectors.

"Buddhist practice follows the path of the Buddha through righteousness and patience," according to Luang Pho Cha Suphattho of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pho Ruay Pasattiko, also known as Phra Mongkhon Sitthacharya, was a revered meditation master from Wat Tao in Phachi District, Ayutthaya. While his rope bracelets (les) gained fame, his first edition medal—struck on April 18, 1970, to commemorate his elevation to ecclesiastical rank—has become equally popular. The medal features a cylindrical design with integral loops, showing his half-figure facing forward on the obverse, inscribed "Phra Kru Sunthorthamniwittha (Samruay)" below. The reverse displays ornate Pali script with text marking the ordination celebration and Wat Tao. Only 1,500 medals were cast in nickel-plated alpaca. Owners of this amulet are believed to receive personal blessings.

Luang Pu Thom Kallyano, former abbot of Wat Thammapanyaram in Sukhothai, was another renowned meditation master whose consecrated amulets attracted widespread devotion across multiple editions. His first portrait medal from 1965, cast to raise funds for an ordination hall, featured an oval form with ring loops and remains exceptionally rare today.

Phra Kru Chanthasirithorn (Luang Pho Saran Chanthupo), abbot of Wat Dong Noi in Lopburi, produced the "Pok Krang Medal B.E. 2555" with a distinctive oval design and solid ring loops. The reverse incorporated a mixture of sacred substances blended with powder from Luang Pho Kaew of Wat Khruea Wan—a single amulet with exceptional potential.

Luang Pho Kuay Chutindhorn of Wat Khositaram (Wat Ban Kae) in Chai Nat was a celebrated teacher whose first edition medal, cast in 1961 from bronze-plated gold in approximately 5,000 pieces, displays his full seated figure. The reverse contains powerful sacred yantra, including the Crown Chakra of Buddha bound by Tripitaka incantations and protective spells. These medals have become extremely rare and command high veneration prices.