On July 17, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas disclosed during an official delegation visit to Shanghai that the 2025 state welfare card qualification review has significantly reduced the number of eligible recipients after strict screening. Out of 18.82 million registrants, only 9.51 million passed the qualification criteria, while 9.31 million were rejected.

Ekniti explained that the high rejection rate reflects the government's overhaul of the vetting system to be more rigorous and thorough. Applicant data was cross-checked against multiple state databases including tax records, land ownership, income levels, and vehicle ownership to filter out those not genuinely in poverty. "The intention behind this strict screening is to bring truly poor people into the system," Ekniti stated. "Our welfare budget is limited, so we want this card to go to people with nothing—like elderly patients with no income—to reach those who truly deserve and need help the most."

Ekniti confirmed that citizens can check their eligibility in the system and will see clear explanations of why they were rejected if unsuccessful. Those denied can appeal their decision, ensuring transparency and fairness in the process.

Guan Yin, also known as the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, is a revered Chinese deity enshrined in Thai temples, Chinese temples, and shrines. She is honored as the goddess of compassion by Chinese communities, Thai-Chinese, and Thai Buddhists alike.

In Mahayana Buddhism, Guan Yin is identified with Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, whose name comes from Sanskrit. Her origins trace back to Mahayana sutras in India, and when blended with Chinese legend—particularly the story of Princess Miaoshan—she emerged as the feminine embodiment of Guan Yin. This union emphasizes gentleness and motherly compassion in a way that harmonizes beliefs without contradiction.

According to the Avalokiteshvara Sutra, the Bodhisattva can manifest in countless forms, both male and female, to help all beings. It is natural for Mahayana Bodhisattvas to blend with local deities and beliefs when spreading to new lands such as Tibet, China, and Japan.

The legend of Princess Miaoshan recounts how she was originally a celestial being who descended to the human world to relieve suffering. Born as the youngest daughter of King Miao Zhuang and Queen Xiao Lin, she was named Princess Miaoshan. From childhood, she was devoted to Buddhism, understood deep dharma, and resolved to pursue meditation for liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Her father opposed this and forced her to marry a prince, but she refused. Though scolded harshly, she never grew angry. Her father then commanded her to work in the flower garden as punishment, but tree spirits came to help her. When this failed to change her mind, he ordered the head nun to take her to the White Peacock Temple and assigned her all the convent's work alone. She accepted with unwavering resolve, yet guardian deities secretly aided her tasks as well.

Thinking the nuns were helping her, the king grew furious and ordered soldiers to burn the temple, killing all the nuns, though only Princess Miaoshan survived. He then commanded her execution, but the sword could not harm her. In rage, he ordered the executioner killed and sentenced her to hanging. Yet the rope broke.

A divine tiger then appeared, placed her on its back, and carried her to Mount Xiang Shan. Later, the immortal Tai Bo appeared as an old man in human form and taught her the methods of spiritual practice. She attained enlightenment on the nineteenth day of the sixth month. Soon afterward, the karma her father had created caused him to fall gravely ill with no cure.

When Princess Miaoshan learned of this through divine knowledge, she selflessly sacrificed her eyes and arms to cure her father's illness, moved by filial piety. After becoming an arhat, she regained her eyes and arms and manifested the miraculous form of Guan Yin with a thousand arms. Princess Miaoshan, or Guan Yin, originally a Buddhist figure, later received patronage from the immortal Tai Bo and became venerated in both Buddhist and Daoist traditions simultaneously.

Original depictions of Guan Yin or Avalokiteshvara showed a youthful male form dressed in the ornate style of ancient Indian princes, with many different poses. When Mahayana Buddhism spread from India to China in the early period before the Tang Dynasty, the deity was still depicted as male following Indian Buddhist artistic conventions. Later, Chinese artisans reimagined her as a female figure.

'Barami Phra Pa: Faith and Urban Power' Author: Saplot Ongphichatmetha Published by: Matichon Publishing House Price: 360 baht

Forest monks are typically remembered as clergy living far from cities and development, practicing ascetically in rural areas and forests with few possessions and little attachment to material comfort or convenience. This has earned them widespread respect from many people, not only villagers and provincial residents, but also urbanites in Bangkok—including the middle class, businesspeople, civil servants, and some aristocrats.

One of the most famous and respected forest monk lineages is the 'Phra Ajaan Man Bhūridatto' lineage.

This book presents the story of the Phra Ajaan Man lineage of forest monks, beginning with Phra Ajaan Man himself during the reign of King Rama V, when he was ordained, went on forest wanderings, and propagated Buddhism in the North and Northeast. His religious activities earned him respect from many monks and a steadily growing number of disciples.

This created a network of monks and laypeople united by their devotion to Phra Ajaan Man, and this network gradually expanded its influence and relationships with other people and social institutions. This growth accelerated through the forest monks' improved relationships with provincial administrators in the Northeast, which became a gateway for the Phra Ajaan Man lineage to gain wider recognition and respect throughout the country, particularly in Bangkok. Their connection with the disciples of Bowonniwet Monastery in the 1950s further linked them to aristocratic circles and the royal court.

The connection between the Phra Ajaan Man lineage and the palace became especially clear during the reign of King Rama IX. Due to the Communist insurgency problem in the 1960s, the King frequently traveled through rural areas and, as a patron of Buddhism, regularly made merit and paid respect to forest monks from the Phra Ajaan Man lineage. The King's personal faith in these monks, publicized through newspapers, radio, and television, significantly increased their respect and reverence among the Thai people.

••'Kham Chant: A Guide to Thai Classical Poetry'•• ••'Is This What Merit-Making Really Is?'••

"...When associating with the virtuous, one improves rapidly..." - A teaching by Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarah (P.A. Payutto), Yanawet Kiwan Temple

This week's column recommends a fine book from Mae Kham Pang Publishing: 'Kham Chant: Poetry as National Heritage' by Thongthaem Nathachanong. Currently, there are few introductory guidebooks on kham chant (Thai classical poetry) for teachers, students, and scholars. This book compiles explanations of prosody rules—bung, khru, lahu—and introduces nearly all major kham chant works from the Ayutthaya period through the 1932 political transition. It also adds cultural and historical context useful for educators, with helpful kham chant structure diagrams in the appendix. Price: 350 baht.

'Is This What Merit-Making Really Is?' by Chaiyapat Thongkambanj. Those who desire merit should listen carefully—not merely as a formality like most people, who are ignorant of what merit-making truly means, how to do it, or why. They simply make merit passively, assuming they've earned merit without understanding the deeper purpose.

A celebrated entertainment venue in Nakhon Ratchasima offering host bar services has drawn sharp criticism after staging an event in which a man dressed in a lawyer's robe, with a number pinned to his chest, was placed on stage for customers to select and buy him drinks as encouragement. The incident sparked intense debate over its appropriateness, with many arguing that the stunt inappropriately trivialized the dignified and honorable attire of the legal profession.

The bar subsequently posted an apology on Facebook, stating: "The establishment had no intention to imply, allude to, or disparage the legal profession in any way. If this action has caused discomfort or harm to any individual, group, organization, or related party, we humbly accept responsibility and offer our sincere apologies. We confirm that such events will not occur again."

Lawyer Tam Shinphan Saengphakdiyotin, chairman of Tam Shinphan Law Group, has expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing that lawyer's robes are prestigious attire with significant importance in the judicial process. Only individuals licensed to practice law are entitled to wear them. He warned that if wearing a lawyer's robe causes public confusion that the wearer is a real lawyer and results in financial or other harm to people, it may constitute fraud. Additionally, if images or clips are distributed via electronic media, the actions could potentially violate Thailand's Computer Crime Act, depending on the content, intent, and impact of each case.

Tam stressed that lawyer's robes symbolize the honor of legal professionals in the justice system and are not costume pieces that ordinary individuals may use arbitrarily for entertainment. He called on relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the facts and, if illegal conduct is found, to pursue legal action accordingly.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 marks the 60th death anniversary of Phra Khru Bor Dhammakij, known as Luang Pu Tian Pupphathamma, the late abbot of Wat Bost in Muang District, Pathum Thani Province. He was a respected Mon Buddhist master venerated by residents of Pathum Thani and esteemed by amulet collectors.

Born on November 2, 1876, in Krachang Subdistrict, Samkok District, he began his studies at age 11 and later moved to Wat Bost to learn Thai and Mon language. At age 14, he pursued further education at Wat Maha Phruddaram in Bangkok, then served in the royal household and the Court of Appeals before taking monastic vows in March 1896 at Wat Bang Na under the guidance of Phra Rammanya Rajamuni.

He settled at Wat Bost and became proficient in Pali, Ramanya, and various Buddhist teachings. He undertook forest retreats seeking spiritual peace, studying under Luang Pu Pho of Wat Wang Mao in Phichit, a Mon master and student of the renowned Luang Pu Ngern of Wat Bang Klan. In 1905, he was appointed abbot of Wat Bost, succeeding Phra Athikan Nuan. Over his life, he held various ecclesiastical positions and was eventually granted the title Phra Khru Bor Dhammakij.

He was known for creating numerous sacred amulets and talismans widely believed to possess spiritual power. During the Indochina War, he distributed sacred charms, spell-inscribed robes, cloth amulets, and metal tubes to villagers. His reputation grew so great that it was said no one wearing his sacred objects would die in battle. His amulets, particularly his first-edition medal cast in 1947, became highly coveted collectibles and remain rare and sought-after today.

As one of few Thai Buddhist masters granted such honor, he presented powder reliquaries and gold amulets numbered 9 and 99 to King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Chitralada Palace on June 15, 1966. He passed away peacefully on July 18, 1966, at the age of 90, having spent 70 years in monastic life.

SURIN — Fifty-seven students and teachers were injured after a school bus lost control and overturned on a highway in Surin province, authorities said.

Police at Prasat Police Station received a report of the accident at 11:22 hrs. The bus, carrying students from a school in Khukhan district, Sisaket province, overturned on Highway 214 in front of Wat Taluak in Kang Aen subdistrict, Prasat district.

Authorities said the bus was carrying 51 students and six teachers.

All 57 passengers suffered minor injuries. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported.

Police officers, emergency medical teams and other rescue agencies responded to the scene, providing assistance before transporting the injured to hospital for treatment. Traffic on the highway has since returned to normal.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.