Excitement spread through the community as an ancient, cracked stupa at Wat Lam Tai in Samut Prakan Province's Muang District yielded a treasure trove of Buddhist statues—brass, silver, and wooden Buddha images—hidden in four underground chambers estimated to be over 100 years old. The discovery occurred on May 24, 2025, during excavation work beneath the stupa, which had developed severe cracks and was tilting dangerously.

Workers are now in their second day of excavation. On the first day, they uncovered dozens of ancient Buddha statues from the Rattanakosin period in both brass and silver. On the second day, smaller Buddha images made of wood, brass, and silver-plated materials were discovered. Temple officials have secured the artifacts in the former abbot's quarters for safekeeping.

Abbot Phra Kru Tham Thorn Jamlohng Rojnathammohna stated the stupa likely dates from the reign of King Rama III to King Rama IV, making it over 100 years old. However, it remains unclear whether the stupa predates the temple's construction in 1933. When questioned, elderly residents recalled seeing the stupa since childhood, and a visiting historian, 88-year-old Phra Tham Pariyatti Munee, confirmed it represents early Rattanakosin period craftsmanship based on the statues' materials and distinctive forms.

The excavation was necessitated by severe structural damage. Initial plans to move the stupa intact proved impossible due to its ancient foundation buried deep underground. Beneath the base, workers discovered four small chamber-like cavities containing numerous hidden Buddha images.

Once all artifacts have been retrieved, they will be cleaned and preserved in the temple museum for public veneration and historical study. The abbot emphasized the statues will not be made available for rent, as they constitute the temple's property and serve as spiritual anchors for the community. When news spread yesterday, locals flocked to view the discoveries, with some even attempting to request access to the artifacts.

Evidence from elderly residents aged 80-90 and historian Phra Tham Pariyatti Munee confirms the stupa's age exceeds 100 years. The artistic style closely resembles that of nearby Wat Pitulathirath Rungsit, with similar decorative patterns and base designs, suggesting they may have been constructed by the same master craftsmen.

One 49-year-old visitor, Sompon Kanchanaruangkit, expressed reverence at witnessing the ancient Buddha images firsthand, and admitted attempting to extract lucky numbers from the artifacts for an upcoming lottery draw.

A gastroenterology specialist has shared an important warning about what doctors don't typically mention after a colonoscopy. Patients should not rush to eat a large meal after the procedure, as fecal residue may still cling to the body despite proper bowel preparation beforehand.

Dr. Leilabilis Padilla, a gastrointestinal specialist, explains that during a colonoscopy, doctors insert a small tube with a camera and light through the rectum into the colon to detect abnormalities such as wounds, bleeding, inflammation, or signs of colorectal cancer. Despite patients fasting and taking laxative medications to cleanse the bowel before the procedure, the intestinal cleaning may not be as thorough as expected.

Dr. Padilla notes that after the examination, some patients may have fecal residue on their body, including effects from anesthesia and positioning during the procedure. She recommends that upon waking and returning home, patients should shower immediately before eating, as even though nurses clean the body, there may be tiny spots that remain unseen.

Currently, over 15 million colonoscopies are performed annually in the United States. The American Cancer Society recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 and repeating it every 10 years, as this cancer often shows no symptoms in early stages. There is also a growing trend of younger patients, particularly men under 50, developing the disease, making colorectal cancer one of the leading causes of cancer-related death.

Beyond cancer screening, colonoscopy also helps diagnose gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, chronic colitis, chronic diarrhea, and constipation, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding. If polyps are found, doctors can remove them immediately to check for cancer cells, significantly reducing the risk of future cancer development.

India has successfully concluded negotiations for broadcasting rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the deal estimated at approximately $30-35 million USD (roughly 980-1,100 million baht). FIFA made substantial efforts to secure agreements with India and China, two countries not participating in the tournament finals. Should FIFA fail to reach these markets, it would miss the opportunity to reach nearly half the world's population, as these two nations account for over 35% of the global population, approximately 2.6 billion people or one-third of the world. Earlier, FIFA already closed a deal with China, slashing the broadcasting rights price for the 2026-2030 World Cups by 80%, selling to China Media Group for approximately $60 million USD (around 2,000 million baht), down from FIFA's initial asking price of $300 million USD (roughly 10 billion baht). Latest reports indicate FIFA has sealed the India deal and will make an official announcement soon. Chaji Prabhakarun, former secretary-general of the Indian Football Federation, revealed: "Big news for Indian football fans! The wait is over. Negotiations are complete, and the official announcement of the 2026 World Cup broadcasting partner in India is expected within the next week!" FIFA initially valued the broadcasting rights package for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups in India at approximately $100 million USD (around 3,500 million baht). However, due to lack of interest from media service providers, the valuation was revised down to nearly $35 million USD (around 1,200 million baht).

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Phra Phromvachirathon (Sophon Sophonchitto), abbot of Wat Devrajkunchon and ecclesiastical chief of Region 13, presided over a meeting of provincial ecclesiastical leaders, deputy leaders, and secretaries in the Buddhist Sangha Region 13 administrative zone (Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat) according to the Council of Elders Resolution No. 143/2546, Session 2/2026.

The purpose was to establish a development plan for Region 13's ecclesiastical work across six areas consolidated into four main task groups: (1) administrative governance and database management, (2) education and educational welfare, (3) dharma promotion, practice encouragement, and missionary work, and (4) public welfare and religious property.

Public welfare work is a mission undertaken by all ecclesiastical divisions to continuously support communities and respond to immediate situations, held at Wat Sutthawat temple in Nong Prueio subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chachoengsao province.

Phra Phromvachirathon conveyed to provincial ecclesiastical leaders, deputy leaders, and secretaries in Region 13 the teachings of His Majesty the Supreme Patriarch, emphasizing strict adherence to Buddhist precepts and discipline, with patience as the foundation for religious work, and fostering unity within the monastic community. He urged monastic administrators to conduct themselves and manage operations according to law, Council regulations, and procedures with strictness. He entrusted the ecclesiastical administrators with two principles: patience and compassion, Buddhist teachings to practice for the wellbeing and morale of their subordinates, enhancing work efficiency and effectiveness. As the Buddhist aphorism states: "Khanti metro labhi yasso sussilo suhavato piyo devamanussa nom manopo hoti khanti," meaning the patient and compassionate one gains benefits and honor, enjoys happiness always, and is loved by both celestial beings and humans.

Phra Phromvachirathon further explained that khanti, or patience, means enduring difficulties to achieve noble purposes and worthy objectives when facing undesirable circumstances. It represents a state of mind and body prepared to face any situation without dejection or weakness. This patience is a virtue enabling practitioners to succeed in their work. Compassion, or metta, is a feeling of goodwill toward others, free from selfishness, bias, or hatred, but always directed toward universal happiness and prosperity.

It is not about favoring one's own preferences or others' preferences. When people live together practicing mutual patience and compassion without harboring harmful or oppressive intentions, with mutual understanding and generosity, there will certainly be only peace, tranquility, and happiness.

Luang Pho Obhasi of Ashram Bangmod (Wat Phutthabuscha) in Bangkok was a distinguished Buddhist monk with unique practices different from other venerable teachers, earning the title "Master Who Worships Fire as Buddha Veneration."

Originally named Chuan Maliphan, he was born in 1898 in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and ordained at Wat Pho in Nakhon Si Thammarat. He studied Buddhist scriptures with such diligence that he impressed the monastery's Pali scholars, who committed to advancing his education in Bangkok. Before traveling to the capital, he became a student of Sangharaja Krom Luang Wachirayan (M.R. Chuen Nophawong) at Wat Bowornnivet. He eventually received full ordination and earned a seven-topic Pali degree.

He dedicated himself to intensive vipassana meditation and studied with the renowned Luang Pho Kob at Khao Sarika cave monastery. Around 1941, he began practicing forest dwelling asceticism with extreme dedication, eating only once daily. Eventually settling at Bangmod in the Thonburi side, he gained local followers who brought him offerings. Rather than keep them, he burned everything, explaining that human suffering is caused by greed, delusion, and ignorance. By burning the offerings, he performed Buddha veneration to invoke the power of enlightenment to eliminate suffering.

As his reputation spread, locals built Ashram Bangmod for him. Over time, his practice of burning offerings evolved to include textiles, canned goods, and jewelry brought by devotees. During the Indochina War period, his amulets and sacred objects became highly valued protective talismans.

He passed away on October 31, 1955, at age 57 with 37 rains (years as a monk). His body remained uncorrupted—considered miraculous. His disciples preserved him in a glass coffin enshrined in a stupa at the ashram. Today, Wat Luang Pho Obhasi, also known as Wat Phutthabuscha, continues to attract devotees and believers.

Luang Pho Obhasi's second-series amulet coins, created in 1953, come in two designs: the large serpent (Phaya Naga) and small serpent versions. They are stamped coins with loops.

This marks a historic convergence of faith around 'Luang Pu Tai Hong' as the Po Tek Tung Foundation has built a Buddhist temple enshrining one of Thailand's largest white jade Tai Hong statues, located in central Sathorn, Bangkok, on 4 rai 17 square wah of sacred land spanning over 120 years.

The 'White Jade Tai Hong Temple Celebrating the 72nd Royal Cycle' stands as a heritage of Buddhist compassion and a valuable resource for studying ancient Chinese miniature architecture. The project was undertaken to commemorate both the royal celebration of the 6th cycle of birth on July 28, 2567 BE and the foundation's 110th anniversary. The foundation received royal grace from His Majesty, who bestowed the building's name and presided over its opening ceremony with Her Majesty the Queen, ceremonially planting a twin parasol pine tree on May 20, 2569 BE.

Nai Wichit Chinwongwrkul, vice chairman of the Po Tek Tung Foundation's board, explained the foundation's purpose: it serves as a bridge of merit for those with faith to channel charitable assistance through social welfare programs, carrying forward Luang Pu Tai Hong's legacy of helping society without discrimination based on class or religion, guided by the principle of 'Save life, preserve life, create life.'

The foundation has constructed the temple adjacent to the '80th Royal Cycle Memorial Park of the Po Tek Tung Foundation,' a historic land dedicated to faith and gratitude to Thailand, originating from 'Sosan Wat Don,' where 710 Chinese citizens pooled resources in 1899 BE to purchase land for a public cemetery. This marked the beginning of the Tai Hong corpse management association and the Tai Hong Phlapphlaichai temple, which were later registered as the Po Tek Tung Foundation (originally named the Hui Kiao Po Tek Siang Tung Foundation).

'This White Jade Tai Hong Temple will serve as a center of faith gathering for believers from both Thailand and abroad, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, accommodating tens of thousands of visitors. The temple offers incense, joss paper, and Luang Pu Tai Hong amulets—sacred talismans—to the faithful who come to pay respects and make requests, all provided free of charge. Those wishing to make merit can do so according to their faith and ability,' Nai Wichit stated.

Dr. Setsapong Jongsongwan, an independent scholar of Chinese studies and expert in Mahayana Buddhism who served as advisor for the temple's construction, described the design as ancient Chinese architectural art in the Zhaozhuang craftsmen style. The entire structure is reinforced concrete, adorned with carved wood and stone.

The temple's focal point is its main 2-story hall, which houses the enshrined statue of Luang Pu Tai Hong carved from one of Thailand's largest white jade stones. The statue rests on a central altar constructed from three carved jade pieces with a combined height of 5.1 meters and total weight of 51.50 tons, displaying remarkable beauty and profound spiritual significance representative of Luang Pu Tai Hong.

Luang Pu Tai Hong was a Chinese Buddhist monk from the Song Dynasty era who traveled to Tieya District in Zhaozhuang, Guangdong Province, during a time when people faced repeated calamities including storms, floods, fires, epidemics, and droughts. He devoted himself tirelessly to helping people, collecting and performing funeral rites without hesitation, establishing clinics to care for the sick, and providing food and necessities to the poor while encouraging villagers to participate.