Devotees are invited to participate in a major merit-making project at Wat Sangkharam in Sukhothai province to construct a 35-meter Buddha statue dedicated to Thailand's former kings. The project, titled "Phutthauthayan Chaloem Phra Kiarti" (Buddha Park Commemorating Royal Glory), aims to honor past Thai monarchs who upheld the nation's independence and to express gratitude for their contributions to the country and Buddhism.

Reverend Phra Rajvaj Dharmmrangsi, abbot of Wat Indraviharn in Bangkok, recently visited the construction site at Wat Sangkharam (Luang Pho Jong) in Ban Dan Lan Hoi District, Sukhothai province, to oversee progress on this auspicious endeavor. The project symbolizes the profound faith of Buddhists and was established to dedicate merit to all former Thai monarchs, who were instrumental in protecting the nation's sovereignty, while expressing gratitude toward past kings, the nation, and Buddhism. The project aims to preserve virtuous deeds and faith for future generations.

The main Buddha image, standing 35 meters tall and magnificently crafted, is mounted on a pavilion for a total height of approximately 45 meters. Construction work is progressing steadily, with gold mosaic being applied to the Buddha image and protective nagas being sculpted to safeguard the faith. The Buddha Park will serve as a place for Buddhist practice and as one of Thailand's most beautiful Buddhist monuments.

This construction project is considered a major merit-making endeavor that requires the spiritual strength and support of Buddhists throughout the country to ensure its successful completion. The public is invited to contribute financially to support the project and share in this historic display of faith.

Those wishing to participate in the merit-making can contribute at Wat Indraviharn, Bang Khun Phrom, Bangkok (Account Number 070-0-31564-0) or at Wat Sangkharam (Luang Pho Jong), Ban Dan Lan Hoi District, Sukhothai province (Account Number 020485864738).

May the merit of your generosity bring blessings and the benefits of constructing this Buddha image and honoring the compassion of Thailand's former kings bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and success to you and your families.

On July 16, 2025, Wat Pradu Royal Temple in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram, held a merit-making ceremony marking the 65th birthday anniversary of Phra Ratchapavanavachirajarn, the abbot and provincial Buddhist leader. The morning featured monk alms offerings for 66 monks, fish releases, blood donation drives in cooperation with the Thai Red Cross, and education scholarships for Pali students and pupils from three local schools.

The event's highlight came when Ms. Phongpan Pathapi, 51, a cold storage business owner, and MPS Interfood company donated 10 tons of premium export-grade fruit — 5 tons of durian and 5 tons of mangosteen — for distribution to attendees. The generosity drew thousands of people from inside and outside the district, prompting the temple to issue queue cards for orderly distribution with assistance from temple staff, local officials, and Amphawa police.

Phongpan explained that her donation stemmed from deep respect for the abbot's spiritual merit, noting that he has always blessed her home and business endeavors, leading to continuous prosperity. Beyond honoring the abbot on his birthday, she said the gesture also supports local durian farmers during peak harvest season. The event exemplified both gratitude toward the respected religious leader and broader community values of charity, educational opportunity, and mutual aid.

Deputy Prime Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, overseeing the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), led an inspection of Toyota Buss Limited's Vibhavadi Rangsit branch in Bangkok alongside police from Jatujak District. Since 2022, the CPB has received over 1,700 complaints about auto repair services, mostly concerning engine and body repairs with unclear pricing, unexpected additional charges, and incomplete payment documentation that fails to meet legal requirements.

Nearly 1,200 cases have been resolved to date, with the remainder still in process. The CPB will expand pilot inspection results to other areas and establish a nationwide database of auto repair businesses in Bangkok. Supamas emphasized that vehicles are essential daily assets and repair quality directly affects travel safety, so consumers must receive complete information at three stages: before repairs (estimate with parts and labor costs), during repairs (timeline and parts specifications), and after repairs (warranty details with clear duration or mileage).

When payment is made, repair shops must immediately issue a receipt with all nine required details—this document protects consumers and enables them to claim rights if problems arise later. However, many issues originate before service agreements are finalized. The CPB is working to strengthen protections to cover pre-service contracts so consumers know the work list, price, and conditions from the start, not just at payment.

Supamas warned all repair shops that issuing proper receipts is not a courtesy but a legal obligation. Violators face up to one year imprisonment, fines up to 200,000 baht, or both. Consumers who feel cheated can file complaints at the CPB hotline 1166 or provincial ombudsman offices.

Six juveniles flee detention in stolen pickup, caught in ChaiyaphumLegacySix juveniles escaped from a juvenile detention centre in Nakhon Ratchasima early today, July 16, before allegedly stealing a pickup truck and driving to Chaiyaphum. Police later arrested all six safely. Police at Pho Klang Police Station were notified at around 5.30am that six boys had escaped from the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre. Staff told police the group took advantage of a moment when a teacher opened a gate, allowing them to escape from the compound. At around 7am, the group allegedly stole an Isuzu pickup truck parked inside a school’s parking area about 800 metres from the centre. A member of the public later reported seeing the vehicle travelling along Mittraphap Road towards Chaiyaphum. Photo via Khaosod Police coordinated with officers and local officials to trace the vehicle. It was later found abandoned in Noen Sa-nga district, Chaiyaphum province. Chaiyaphum Provincial Police and Noen Sa-nga Police Station officers later located and safely detained all six juveniles. During initial questioning, one of the juveniles admitted missing home and wanting to return, telling investigators he persuaded the others to escape and steal the pickup truck for the journey. Khaosod reported that the juveniles are now back in police custody and will be transferred to the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre for further legal proceedings. Photo via Khaosod Similarly, back in 2025, two teenagers escaped from a custody vehicle while being transported to the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre. The two boys were involved in separate cases, one for robbery and the other for possession of methamphetamine. The story Six juveniles flee detention in stolen pickup, caught in Chaiyaphum as seen on Thaiger News.

National Police Chief General Siam Bunsap has ordered Deputy Commissioner General Theeradej Thamsudhee, Region 7 Police Commander Chaiyya Petchpanya, and the Bangkok Narcotics Center to launch an urgent investigation. The case began when an informant reported that a professional courier was hired to transport goods between Thailand and Japan. On July 3, someone using the Facebook account "Chayamin Pai" contacted the informant in Prachuap Khiri Khan, offering payment to ship items to Japan. On July 4, a rider delivered a cardboard box to The Trust Residence Pinklao in Bangkok's Thonburi district. On July 6, the courier returned to prepare for a trip to Japan. On July 7, the informant opened the box to inspect contents and discovered six jars of tamarind paste weighing unusually heavy. Upon opening one, she found a white solid substance wrapped in clear plastic—a red flag that prompted her to leave the box and alert authorities. When she returned on July 13 after flying to and from Japan, police opened the box and found six one-liter plastic bottles, each containing tamarind paste mixed with methamphetamine (ice). The bottles contained approximately 2.059 kilograms total: bottle one held 331.3 grams, bottle two 341.1 grams, bottle three 354.5 grams, bottle four 413.1 grams, bottle five 318.4 grams, and bottle six 300.6 grams. Officers seized the contraband for testing and are working to apprehend the "Chayamin Pai" account holder.

On July 16, 2025, at the Police Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine, the family of Ms. Wiangphon, 18, a Lao national and employee at a beer bar in Ladphrao, arrived to file paperwork and claim her body for merit-making ceremonies.

Ms. Namhuan, 20, a relative of the deceased, explained that she did not know the victim worked at this establishment, as the two were not in close contact. She had only known that her sister worked as a server at a restaurant in the Ladphrao area. She learned of the tragedy only after her mother called to inform her.

Ms. Wiangphon had been working in Thailand for approximately eight months. She had been saving money with the intention of bringing her family on a trip, but the incident occurred before she could achieve that goal.

To date, neither the bar owner nor any partner has contacted the family directly. Only the Ministry of Justice has been in touch. The family stated that the 10,000-baht compensation offered by the bar as preliminary damages is far too little, emphasizing that a human life is worth much more.

The family also addressed social media speculation that she was a customer, posting a photo of her holding a cake. They clarified that the image was old and that her actual status was a food server working inside the establishment. Regarding the incident itself, the family acknowledged it resulted from the bar's negligence. After claiming the body, they plan to return to Vientiane, Laos, to hold religious merit-making ceremonies.