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.

Sanprasert Panniayam explained that Wat Salaekhuean is an ancient temple dating from the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin period, housing one historical dharmasala believed to be over 100 years old. The carved wooden structure had been stored for safekeeping after the temple renovated its sermon hall. When the temple committee expressed interest in restoring the dharmasala, the university's conservation unit coordinated with the Phranakorn Khiri National Museum to oversee the work while providing educational guidance to residents and school students on preservation techniques.

The restoration partnership involved monks, local administration, cultural networks, and textile expert Thanit Pumsai, who taught students how traditional Thai patterns featured in the dharmasala could inspire design work. "This project represents community participation from home, temple, school, and relevant agencies," Sanprasert said, "serving both heritage preservation and educational outreach while building local pride."

Museum director Prajin noted that conservation work began with careful cleaning of the dharmasala's carved wooden components featuring inlaid gold and decorative glass, using gentle dusting and cotton swabs before reassembly. The hands-on activity engaged students, monks, and residents in understanding conservation as cultural inheritance. Resident Samang Nutchompoo, known as "Aunty Toom," shared that the dharmasala originally stood in the temple's older sermon hall for monastic teachings before being relocated and stored when the hall required rebuilding. The new abbot and temple committee have now launched its restoration and reinstallation.

Bangkok, 17 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) joined a strategic review and operational inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 16 July, led by Mr. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, to accelerate existing measures to improve passenger flow, ease congestion, raise service standards and strengthen the visitor experience.

Mr. Surasak said, “Our priority is to ensure that Suvarnabhumi Airport serves as an international gateway that delivers a strong first impression. By strengthening existing coordination and accelerating practical improvements, we can manage rising passenger volumes more effectively and raise service standards. More efficient arrival and departure processes will contribute directly to the sustainable growth of Thailand’s tourism economy.”

The review brought together the Ministry of Transport, TAT, the Department of Tourism, the Tourist Police Bureau, the Immigration Bureau and Airports of Thailand. Building on established inter-agency coordination, the review assessed current operations, with agencies reaffirming their commitment to stronger data integration, more proactive management of pressure points and wider use of immigration technology.

The agencies will further strengthen the real-time exchange of flight schedules and passenger-volume data, enabling staffing levels to be adjusted more accurately throughout the day. This will support faster responses during peak periods and improve coordination across airport, immigration and tourism-related services.

In parallel, the respective agencies will continue to assess operational measures to address bottlenecks in areas where passenger volumes exceed existing capacity. These include temporary waiting areas, improved queue management and more efficient passenger movement through immigration and other high-traffic points.

Technology remains central to improving the visitor experience. Biometric identity verification will be expanded, while capacity at automated passport-control channels will be increased. These channels are currently available to eligible passport holders from Singapore and Hong Kong.

The second phase of the system is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Authorities will also consider extending eligibility to travellers from other lower-risk markets. The expanded automated-channel capacity is expected to reduce congestion in immigration areas by more than 50 per cent.

Following the review, Mr. Surasak inspected immigration operations and met frontline officers. The visit reinforced the government’s commitment to accelerating service improvements at Suvarnabhumi Airport and strengthening its role as an efficient international gateway.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “TAT is strengthening every stage of the visitor journey, from planning and reliable information to arrival, travel within Thailand, on-ground assistance and departure. This coordinated action at Suvarnabhumi Airport advances our Value over Volume direction and Partnership 360 approach by aligning public and private sector efforts to raise service quality, strengthen travel confidence and deliver a more seamless experience.”

The post Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry accelerates service improvements at Suvarnabhumi Airport appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

On July 17, 2569, Pol. Col. Tweesuwan Sod Suang, leader of the Prachathai party, posted on Facebook criticizing the local government civil service exam cheating scandal. He likened the fraud to a television drama titled "When the Accused Becomes the Investigator," arguing that it allows wrongdoers to operate above the law in a tragicomedy that leaves Thai citizens bewildered and questioning whether they are witnessing a theatrical production.

As a member of the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee, Sod Suang received complaints investigating the fraudulent civil service recruitment examination for local government officials. After reviewing the facts and applicable law, he expressed profound sadness, as the situation inevitably raises public suspicion that a "theatrical show" is being staged.

The facts reveal a stark discrepancy: correct exam scores remain with the universities contracted to administer the exams, and local government organizations confirm that the scores stored in their systems are also accurate. However, the results publicly announced by the Central Local Government Civil Service Exam Committee (CSCB) included 5,814 individuals who scored below the passing threshold or failed entirely, and these individuals have already been appointed as local government officials.

If the facts are as they appear, this is not merely an administrative error but constitutes the completion of multiple criminal offenses from the moment the fraudulent results were announced and used for appointments. The critical question is: who had the authority to approve or order the announcement of these fraudulent results?

Under the Local Government Personnel Administration Act, B.E. 2542 and the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order Order No. 8/2560 dated February 21, 2560, the Central Local Government Civil Service Exam Committee (CSCB) is responsible for conducting all civil service recruitment examinations. The CSCB comprises 19 members, including six ex-officio members (Permanent Secretaries of Interior and Education, the Civil Service Commission Secretary-General, the Budget Bureau Director, the Comptroller General, and the Local Government Promotion Department Director), six experts selected from provincial and municipal councils, six representatives of local government organizations, and one deputy director appointed by the Local Government Promotion Department Director to serve as secretary and chair.

The law grants the CSCB authority to conduct examinations, establish curricula, determine examination procedures, set candidate qualifications, establish passing criteria, maintain and remove candidates from the successful list, and handle all related matters. The contractual scope of work (TOR) explicitly stipulates that the contractor must prepare the list of successful candidates as determined by the CSCB and announce it on the website as specified by the committee, meaning the contractor lacks independent authority to determine the list.

During late 2568 to early 2569, the CSCB conducted and announced results for sections A and B on February 20, 2569, officially listing successful candidates. However, 5,814 names required revocation due to irregularities. This fraudulent announcement constituted the completion of the crime. On June 22, 2569, officers from the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Metropolitan Police Bureau conducted searches at locations in Nonthaburi province where exam scores had been illegally altered, approximately four months after the results were announced.

The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (TKWO), a legendary wind ensemble from Japan internationally recognized as one of the world's most influential wind orchestras, has performed across Japan, Europe, America, and Asia. The ensemble is now bringing over 40 elite wind musicians to Thailand for the first time on September 11-12, 2026, at Mahidol Sithakorn Auditorium at Mahidol University's Salaya campus.

The concert, titled "Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra Concert in Bangkok," is organized through a collaboration between the Thai Saxophone Association and Mahidol University's College of Music Arts. This marks a significant opportunity for classical music and anime enthusiasts. The concert will feature renowned conductor Daichi Deguchi, a winner of the Khachaturian International Conducting Competition, alongside Thai guest conductor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapol Settaprahm from the Mahidol Wind Orchestra.

With over 65 years of influence in wind orchestra development, TKWO is celebrated for its performance standards, high-quality recordings, and beloved anime music performances. For this Thai performance, the ensemble will showcase three legendary anime pieces: "Tank!", "Lupin the Third Theme '78," and "Spy x Family Medley," along with other masterworks including the Alvamar Overture by renowned American composer James Barnes and compositions by Gustav Holst.

Daichi Deguchi is an accomplished conductor who has studied under masters including Junichi Hirokami, Tatsuya Shimono, and Christian Ehwald, and has trained in opera conducting with Hans-Dieter Baum. He has participated in master classes with world-class conductors Neeme Järvi and Paavo Järvi, and has been invited to conduct leading orchestras including Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Armenian National Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestre Victor Hugo.

This visit marks an important milestone for Thailand's wind orchestra community. Interested individuals can find more information on the Thai Saxophone Association's Facebook page and reserve tickets through Eventpop or by calling 081-174-4794.