General Decha Hemkrasri, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and president of the Thai Cycling Association, revealed that the Track Asia Cup 2026—scheduled for August 28-30, 2026, at the Velodrome in Bangkok—has attracted record participation. Twenty teams have registered so far, comprising 10 national teams (Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Macau, Indonesia, Philippines, India, and Saudi Arabia) and 8 club teams from abroad (including teams from Taiwan, South Korea, China, and the Philippines), plus two host teams representing Thailand and the Velodrome. Final registration could reach 25 teams.

The competition is critical for accumulating world ranking points and qualifying for the 2026 UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai (October 14-18), where Thailand has already been confirmed eligible to compete in men's team sprint, keirin, sprint, and 1km time trial events. The Thai team sprint squad—featuring TJ, Naeo, and Maakham—currently ranks 15th globally and 5th in Asia, securing automatic qualification. Other events must earn sufficient points at Track Asia Cup 2026 to qualify, as UCI will announce final quotas on September 4.

General Decha noted that the Thai team sprint riders are favored for qualification, but keirin, sprint, and time trial competitors must maximize points at this final continental competition of the season. He appealed for financial support from the Sports Authority of Thailand and the National Sports Development Fund to enable proper preparation and international competition participation for Thai cyclists pursuing world-stage competition.

Ford Thailand is running a special after-sales service campaign titled "Ford Saves Full Family—Win Free Fuel" to mark its 30th anniversary, featuring multiple attractive offers. These include discounts up to 700 baht on checkup packages, a buy-three-get-one-free tire promotion, and discounts up to 1,200 baht on batteries and brake pads. The campaign's major draw is a chance to win fuel cards worth over 1 million baht combined when customers bring their vehicles in for service at Ford centers nationwide from now until October 31, 2025.

The prize pool comprises 300 fuel card rewards: 30 cards worth 10,000 baht each, 30 cards worth 5,000 baht, and 240 cards worth 2,500 baht. Customers who purchase genuine Ford parts or fluids in 5,000-baht increments earn one entry per increment. Additional incentives include discounts up to 400 baht on synthetic engine oil programs and up to 700 baht on maintenance packages when parts exceed 5,000 baht.

For tire purchases, customers receive a buy-three-get-one-free deal on participating models, plus battery and brake pad discounts ranging from 200 to 1,200 baht depending on vehicle type and trade-in status. All Ford owners also receive complimentary 30-point vehicle inspections and can access 0% interest financing for 10 months on purchases of 5,000 baht or more through participating Kasikornbank and Krungsri credit cards. Winners will be announced in December 2025, with each chassis number eligible for a maximum of one prize.

Research indicates that irregular sleep patterns increase the risk of death from all causes and harm heart health. Experts recommend that bedtime and wake time should not vary by more than one hour daily.

Adequate sleep is crucial for good health and longevity, but recent studies suggest that sleep consistency may matter more than total sleep hours. Taiwan-based sports nutritionist Curtis shared findings from major research showing that people with consistent sleep schedules have lower mortality risk from all causes. He recommends that sleep and wake times should not vary by more than one hour each day.

Research published in the journal Sleep analyzed data from over 60,000 volunteers in the UK Biobank project. Participants wore sleep-tracking devices, generating over 10 million hours of sleep data. Researchers calculated the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI)—higher scores indicate more consistent daily sleep and wake times—and followed participants for an average of 6.5 years.

Results showed sleep consistency directly correlates with mortality rates. Compared to irregular sleepers, those with the most consistent sleep schedules achieved:

• Overall mortality reduction of 20-48% • Cancer mortality reduction of 16-39% • Heart and cardiovascular disease mortality reduction of 22-57%

Irregular sleep disrupts the body's circadian rhythm, increasing risks for heart disease, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and abdominal obesity. In contrast, those maintaining regular sleep routines show significantly reduced risk.

Curtis emphasized that poor sleep quality damages health and increases mortality risk. Beyond aiming for 7-9 hours nightly, maintaining consistent sleep and wake times is equally important. He recommends keeping bedtime and wake time within a one-hour window—for example, sleeping between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and waking between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Rather than relying on weekend sleep recovery, maintaining a stable circadian rhythm is the best long-term health strategy.

Monday, July 13, 2025 commemorates the 99th death anniversary of Phra Rajawichit Molee (Boonmee Paripunno), a distinguished senior Buddhist monk of Phichit province renowned for his virtuous conduct, strict adherence to monastic discipline, and genuine dedication to Buddhism. Originally named Boonmee Taengpan, he was born on Wednesday, July 13, 1927 at Ban Dan in Phichit city to parents Nai Hae and Nang Took Taengpan. He attended primary school at Wat Had Mun, completing fourth grade before ordaining as a monk at age 20 on March 26, 1948, receiving the monastic name Paripunno. He relocated to Wat Tha Luang to study Buddhist scripture, and by 1951 had earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Buddhist studies. After serving as a scripture instructor for over a decade, he was appointed to various monastic administrative positions, becoming abbot of Wat Tha Luang in 1986, district monastic leader in 1993, and eventually provincial monastic adviser in 2007. He championed Buddhist education by establishing secular curriculum studies within the temple and creating scholarship funds for economically disadvantaged monks and novices. In religious outreach, he established the Buddhason Merit Camp in 2000 for youth moral education and created a medicinal herb garden at Wat Tha Luang. He received numerous ecclesiastical ranks conferred by royal decree throughout his monastic career.

"The inner struggle is to overcome your own mind and endure all emotions," according to Luang Pho Cha Suphatto of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pho Song Anupuppo, a highly respected monk at Wat Nong Muang in Bang Pae district, Ratchaburi province, became famous for creating distinctive amulets, most notably his first-edition coin amulets from 1968. These oval-shaped copper amulets with loop attachments were cast in a single piece and blessed by the monk himself. Originally produced without date markings, later batches were modified with the year 1968 engraved on the reverse, making the undated versions exceptionally scarce. The obverse features a half-figure portrait with inscription below reading "B.E. 2511, Phra Kru Anurak Vorakun, Wat Nong Muang," bordered by Thai script. The reverse displays the monk's personal yantra symbol, making these amulets highly sought-after collector's pieces.

Luang Pu Bua Thamako, formally known as Phra Kru Sangkhakij Buriphon, was the abbot of Wat Sri Buripharam in Wang Krachae, Trat province, and became a renowned spiritual teacher throughout the region. His most popular amulet was a portrait coin created in 1981 to commemorate the temple's boundary consecration ceremony. The copper amulet was pre-cast in 1980 by his disciples with permission. Featuring an oval shape with a loop attachment, the obverse displays a half-figure portrait with the inscription "Commemorative Amulet for Wat Sri Buripharam's Boundary Consecration, Trat" above and "Phra Kru Sangkhakij Buriphon" below. The reverse bears a central yantra symbol with the year 1980 inscribed beneath, and these first-edition coins have grown increasingly rare.

Another significant ancient amulet is the "Phra Phuttha Trairatna Nayok" coin from Wat Phananchoeang in Ayutthaya province. Cast in copper with silver, gold, or blackened finishes, these arm-shaped amulets feature raised borders and wire-like edging. The obverse depicts the central Buddha figure in Mara-victory posture seated on an elevated throne, flanked by standing disciples Phra Mokkallana and Phra Sariputta. Thai script above reads "Phra Phuttha Trairatna Nayok." The reverse displays a "Yantra 3" symbol containing four Khmer characters reading "I Swa Su I," representing the essence of the Triple Gem. Thai script curved around the yantra reads "Wat Phananchoeang, Ancient City," with four Chinese characters at the base. These amulets remain popular collector's items.

Luang Pho Pao Buddhaisaro of Wat Tham Tao Ko in Khao Samor Khon, Tha Wung district, Lopburi province, was a revered local teacher who rarely commissioned amulets. Only two editions exist, both highly collectible, particularly the second edition with clearer historical documentation. The first edition, created in 1927 to commemorate temple restoration donors and boundary consecration, features a stupa form with connecting loops. The obverse displays a portrait with Thai script below reading "Phra Phuttha Saracharn Pao, Wat Tham Tao Ko." The reverse bears a square yantra surrounded by Thai script stating "In commemoration of the temple restoration and boundary consecration," with the production year 1927 at the bottom. These amulets are highly valued and rare in the region.

Luang Pho Chun Ratanalopa (Phra Kru Mongkhon Ratanaphirak) of Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn in Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi, was a venerated Buddhist scholar whose wisdom commanded deep respect throughout the district. According to local accounts, even the Christian temple of Saint Anthony needed his blessing when casting religious medals. Born on October 20, 1899, in Wat Kaew, Bangpae, to parents Tim and Lamyai Iba Bon, young Chun studied Thai and Khmer literacy under Phra Ajarn Chaeng at Wat Kaew before moving to relatives in Don Kruai. At age 23, his relatives arranged his ordination at Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn, where he received the monastic name Ratanalopa under the guidance of Luang Pho Hua. He spent ten monsoon seasons at Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn before returning to Wat Kaew for eight seasons to care for his ailing father until the latter's death. Upon completing funeral rites, he returned to his original temple. In 1943, when the previous abbot passed away, villagers invited him to succeed as head monk. In 1954, during Luang Pho Rat's tenure, the temple underwent major reconstruction and received royal recognition for its monastery boundary in 1913. He rose through monastic ranks, receiving the titles Phra Kru Chaen Prathuan in 1961 and Phra Kru Chaen Sanyabat in 1971. His scholarship was so formidable that even respected teachers from neighboring temples acknowledged his exceptional knowledge. Beyond studying with local monks, Chun pursued esoteric knowledge including water blessing, protective amulets, and ritual cloth-making with various masters across Ratchaburi. Among his legendary accomplishments was a rain-stopping banner said to command miraculous power over wind and weather—stories tell of how during new chapel construction, rain mysteriously ceased around the flag for an entire year until villagers convinced him to remove it. A compassionate educator, Luang Pho Chun supported orphans through their schooling, helping many achieve success in their studies and monastic careers, including his eventual successor Luang Pho Prom. He died of old age on January 29, 1971.