Luang Por Thongdee Aruno, also known as Phra Kru Suvannseesilpissut, was the former abbot of Wat Suraskid in Khao Khanthorn Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. A highly learned Buddhist scholar of considerable renown in Eastern Thailand, he was a devoted student of several illustrious teachers: Luang Pu Kong Suvanno of Wat Wang Sanbhores in Khlong District, Chanthaburi; Luang Pu Erm Promo of Wat Juk Kachor in Chonburi; and Luang Por Phiw Seelavissutho of Wat Songngan in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Originally from Sisaket Province, Luang Por Thongdee was born on June 12, 1933. He completed his primary education through grade four before traveling to Bangkok at age 14. Before his ordination, he worked as a rice porter in the Khlong Toei area, earning an average of 25 baht per month. He later moved to seek work in the Maablamphid community in Baan Bueng District, Chonburi.

In 1974, he undertook a brief 15-day ordination to resolve a karmic debt at Wat Prai Sanad in Pluak Daeng District, with Phra Kru Siripatanasopon (Luang Por Phiw) of Wat Songngan serving as his preceptor. He then became a student of Luang Pu Erm Promo at Wat Juk Kachor for approximately six months, studying Buddhist texts and earning certifications in Buddhist studies at three levels: bachelor, master, and doctorate.

He subsequently studied under Luang Pu Kong at Wat Wang Sanbhores and Luang Por Phiw at Wat Songngan, gaining expertise in various disciplines including sacred script and yantra writing, powder drawing, amulet consecration, ancient medicine, and forest herbalism.

Around 1993, he transferred to Wat Suraskid to assist the abbot in temple restoration efforts. Following the abbot's death, he assumed the position of abbot in 1995. Two years later, he successfully petitioned to establish proper monastic boundaries, elevating the temple's status from a branch monastery to an independent temple.

Wat Suraskid was originally built around 1968 to commemorate Chao Phraya Suraskid, a minister who had developed railways during King Rama V's reign, bringing prosperity to local communities. When the temple sought official naming through the Department of Religious Affairs, the word "minister" was removed from the name to avoid resemblance to royal nomenclature.

The temple occupies approximately 26 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, shaded by tall rubber trees with spreading branches. The serene and tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by landscaping with various plants, making it ideal for meditation and spiritual practice. The abbot and his disciples worked together to maintain the temple's peaceful appearance, planting trees and fostering an environment conducive to Buddhist practice.

Luang Por Thongdee employed his extensive knowledge as a skillful means to teach Buddhist morality and ethics to laypeople, guiding them to follow Buddhist teachings and understand the Dharma with ease. The amulets and sacred objects he created inspired great faith and confidence among his disciples.

Despite advancing in years, Luang Por Thongdee remained in good health and continued to develop the temple. He was regarded as an exemplary monk and a renowned Buddhist scholar of Chonburi Province. He passed away from natural causes on April 4, 2022, at the age of 88, with 48 years of monastic life.

His Eminence Tenzin Losel Rinpoche, a recognized reincarnate Tibetan lama, recently visited Wat Saket Rajavaramahavihara in Bangkok with a delegation of monks and Buddhist practitioners. The abbot and temple officials warmly welcomed the group and led them to pay respects to a statue of the late Supreme Patriarch, honoring his immense contributions to Buddhism and Thai society.

The lama's delegation conducted Vajrayana rituals and prayers to dedicate merit, extend compassion, and pray for the well-being of all people and the Thai nation during its recent period of mourning. They also expressed reverence before a statue of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, offering prayers for her memory.

Following the ceremonies, the group toured a replica of the Bamiyan cave, an important symbol of Buddhist heritage and civilization in Central Asia. The lama praised the preservation and public sharing of this significant Buddhist historical site.

The delegation then venerated an ancient Buddhist stupa, approximately 2,000 years old, housed within the replica cave. Tenzin Losel Rinpoche emphasized the enduring value of Buddhist teachings transmitted from ancient times to the present and prayed for Buddhism's continued stability and flourishing worldwide.

The group subsequently ascended to the Golden Mountain, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in Thailand, where they meditated and offered respectful prayers for peace, unity, and the prosperity of Buddhism for the benefit of all people.

This visit represents a significant opportunity to strengthen relations between Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhist monastic communities, reflecting the universal nature of Buddhism and the shared commitment to preserving and propagating the Buddha's teachings internationally. The atmosphere throughout the visit was characterized by spiritual grace and faith, demonstrating the unity of Buddhists from around the world who follow the Buddha's teachings as a path to creating peace and harmony in society.

Beyond the first medal of Luang Pho Koon created in 2512 (1969) while he resided at Wat Chaeng Nok in Nakhon Ratchasima, the 2517 (1974) commemorative medal was issued during his retreat at Wat Sra Gaew in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima, where he stayed between 2513-2527.

During his time there, Luang Pho Koon observed the monks' difficult circumstances—their small corrugated metal huts leaked badly during rainfall, and some structures were uninhabitable. He envisioned constructing a large two-story monastery to serve as a scripture hall, library, and monks' dormitory. He commissioned the 2517 medal and invited Buddhists to sponsor it for worship, allowing him to collect sufficient donations to complete the project, which has served the temple to the present day.

The medal features an oval shape with a half-length image of the monk facing forward. The obverse reads "Luang Pho Koon Parisuttho" at the top and "Wat Ban Rai, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima" at the bottom. The monk's robe bears the code "Prdt" within a circle, an abbreviation of "Parisuttho," his ordination name. The reverse displays a stupa in the center with inscribed text reading "Commemorative medal for the construction of Wat Sra Gaew monastery, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima." Below are two separating dots with the text "Special Edition, October 4, 2517."

Today this medal is rare to find.

Luang Pho Koon Parisuttho of Wat Ban Rai in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima, is one of the most deeply revered Buddhist monks in Thailand. He is distinctive for his austere lifestyle, simple speech, and ascetic practice, becoming an iconic image in the public consciousness.

Born on Thursday, October 4, 2466 (1923) into the Chattraphol Krang family at Ban Rai, Kud Phiman Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima, to parents Bun and Thong Khao Chattraphol Krang, he had two siblings. The family was poor and lived far from civilization, working as rice farmers.

In his youth, he lost both parents while still a child, and he and his siblings were cared for by an aunt. From ages 6-7, he studied Thai and Khmer languages under monks, while also receiving instruction in meditation practices to avoid dangers.

At age 21, he was ordained on Friday, May 5, 2487 (1944) at Pathumseema Wat Thanon Hak Yai, Kud Phiman Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thod District, Nakhon Ratchasima, taking the ordained name Parisuttho.

He became a student of Luang Pho Daeng at Wat Ban Nong Bodhi, Samnak Takroa Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District. Luang Pho Daeng was a dedicated meditation master in both structured and insight meditation practices, revered by disciples and followers. After serving him for some time, Luang Pho Daeng introduced him as a student to Luang Pho Kong Phuthasaro. These two senior monks respected each other as dharma companions and regularly exchanged teachings.

When Luang Pho Kong observed that his student had developed considerable knowledge and meditation skill, he encouraged him to undertake forest wandering and intensive practice in remote areas. After determining the appropriate time, he returned to Thailand, crossing from Surin Province into Nakhon Ratchasima, and returned to his birthplace.

He then began constructing Wat Ban Rai, building an ordination hall, monk quarters, scripture hall, and a water reservoir for daily use. Importantly, he also established a school for local children.

He became a developing monk who earned extraordinary faith from laypeople, who made substantial donations to support his work.

Today, Pannawich Youdee, a Fresh News reporter from Phayao province, visits the "Sai Nai Stewed Chicken Noodle" shop, which has become increasingly popular among both local residents and tourists.

The specialty is their signature stewed chicken noodle dish made with a unique broth formula that avoids the standard dark soy sauce used in typical shops. Instead, it emphasizes aromatic, harmonious flavors that are smooth and easy to drink with no harsh aftertaste.

Owner Je Pong-Patita Nannakkunij explains that the shop carefully selects fresh chicken every single day—including thighs, drumsticks, feet, wings, and breast meat, totaling over 30 kilograms daily. These are then stewed for several hours with herbs and a proprietary seasoning blend until the meat becomes exceptionally tender with deep, infused flavors.

The combination of tender chicken and the distinctly flavored broth sets this shop apart from competitors, as it uses a special house recipe that achieves perfect balance without requiring any additional seasoning. This has made customers enthusiastic fans, with many saying that one taste tells them they'll definitely be back. It has become another celebrated destination for stewed chicken noodle lovers in Phayao.

The shop offers various noodle options including yellow egg noodles, white noodles, thin noodles, thick noodles, and rice vermicelli for those who prefer it over regular noodles.

Prices start at just 50 baht for regular portions, 60 baht for special, 70 baht for jumbo, 80 baht for super jumbo, and 60 baht for rice vermicelli—all highly affordable given the quality and quantity provided.

The shop is located on Mae Tam Phumin Road (Sai Nai), Mae Tam Subdistrict, Muang District, Phayao Province.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is accelerating the drafting of a new regulation to establish Type 8 Cooperatives (Housing Cooperatives), removing legal restrictions to improve living standards and housing rights for urban poor and low-income earners. Sarawut Neungchamnong, Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed this after receiving petitions and hearing concerns from representatives of the Poor People's Movement for Land and Housing Rights (KPSK) who visited the ministry. The ministry recognizes the struggles poor and low-income communities face regarding agricultural land and housing, including informal settlement residents and affected populations across the country. It has therefore ordered the Department of Cooperative Promotion to urgently review and remove legal restrictions. The latest progress involves drafting a ministerial regulation to establish Type 8 Cooperatives, or Housing Cooperatives, to clearly and efficiently support community-based land and housing management. This will unlock the outdated legal framework that currently recognizes only seven cooperative types, bringing regulations in line with how the secure housing program actually operates.

Implementing this policy demonstrates the Agriculture Ministry's genuine commitment to working closely with the public. After receiving the petition from poor people's representatives, the ministry immediately ordered responsible agencies to expedite regulatory review and conduct comprehensive impact assessments. The ministry aims to launch public hearings to gather citizen input by August and complete the regulatory improvements within the established timeline to provide security and reassurance to all members nationwide. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has committed to rolling out Type 8 Cooperatives as quickly as possible, calling it a historic milestone for Thailand's cooperative system. These new cooperatives will sustainably manage community resources including land, housing, and savings groups across the country. By dismantling outdated structural and regulatory barriers, the government aims to transform public service delivery, improve basic welfare, elevate living standards, and create genuine stability for farmers and low-income earners.

Fans of Betong-style breakfast no longer need to travel to Yala province. Thai See Hee, a historic breakfast restaurant beloved in Betong, has opened a second branch called Thai See Hee Dim Sum Betong in the Buddhamon Sai 2 area of Bangkok, serving the same authentic menu as the original location with ingredients, seasonings, and recipes delivered directly from Betong.

Thai See Hee Dim Sum Betong is a Chinese-style breakfast restaurant that has captivated Betong residents for generations with hard-to-find local dishes including steaming dim sum, traditional white noodle soup, taro cakes, and various other breakfast items that distinctly reflect Betong's identity. Every dish maintains its original flavor without alteration.

One standout specialty not to be missed is the ancient recipe cha kok poh—a traditional tea blend made in-house that offers a delicate aroma, cleanses the palate, and pairs perfectly with meals. Many customers specifically request it.

Among the must-try dishes is crispy fried taro, which is freshly fried to order with a golden, crispy exterior and soft, fragrant interior. The traditional white noodle soup is another simple yet perfectly balanced dish that pairs wonderfully with the house tea.

Behind the delicious food lies generations of succession. "Hia Chong" Someth Saelu, the third-generation heir, maintains the original family recipes. Despite operating for over 85 years, the restaurant remains committed to the same quality and taste from day one.

The restaurant remains popular, particularly on weekends when long queues form, but the hot, freshly served dishes make the wait worthwhile. Visitors are advised to allow extra time and not expect disappointment.

Thai See Hee Dim Sum Betong, managed by Hia Chong's son, officially opened on July 9, 2026. It welcomes longtime customers nostalgic for Betong flavors and new customers eager to experience legendary breakfast without traveling to the southern border.

Open daily 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, all dishes are freshly prepared and served hot from the kitchen. For those seeking a breakfast restaurant offering delicious food, attention to detail, and authentic Betong character, Thai See Hee Dim Sum Betong at Buddhamon Sai 2 is unmissable. Many who try it will surely return.