Saturday, May 23, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of "Phra Ratchasitthigosol" or "Luang Pho Thep Nantho," the former abbot of Wat Klang in Muang District, Surin Province, and former provincial chief monk of Surin (Mahanikai order). He was a revered elder monk deeply respected by Surin residents. Though he passed away long ago, his legacy and contributions continue to benefit the community.

Originally named Thep Chanthraphetch, he was born on November 10, 1917, at house number 4/1, Village 6, in Muang District, Surin Province. His parents were Nai Ting and Nang Tan Chanthraphetch. In 1925, he completed junior secondary education from Surin Ratsadombamrung School in Surin. At age 21 in 1938, he was ordained at Wat Chumpol Sutthawat with Phra Khru Khun Ratsasil Khandh as his preceptor.

He voluntarily entered a monastic retreat to study the Dhamma and Vinaya, serving under Phra Phakgon Khanacharn (Luang Pho Duea Phakro), a respected abbot of Wat Klang Surin and former provincial chief monk of Surin's Mahanikai order. He demonstrated exceptional aptitude, quickly learning to read and write Pali scriptures and the Khmer language. In 1938, the provincial chief monk appointed him assistant abbot of Wat Klang Surin. In 1944, he passed the highest level Dhamma studies examination from Surin's provincial ordination center.

In 1957, he became district chief monk of Muang District. When Phra Phakgon Khanacharn passed away in 1963, he was appointed as abbot of Wat Klang Surin with a focus on educational development. In 1967, he became provincial chief monk of Surin. In 1974, he established an educational foundation for Pali studies to provide scholarships, robes, and textbooks to diligent students. In 1984, he founded the Pariyatti Dhamma Gosol Foundation to promote education and Buddhist practice, and obtained permission to establish a Buddhist University campus for bachelor's degree studies for monks and novices.

His guiding principle was to develop oneself first before developing others, using principles of lay conduct with compassion, humility, and approachability. He received successive ecclesiastical promotions: in 1954 as Phra Khru Sitthakar Gosol; in 1963 as Phra Khru Khanacharn; in 1968 as Phra Sitthakar Gosol at royal rank; and in 1980 as Phra Ratchasitthigosol at the highest royal rank.

He was a renowned preacher whom lay followers greatly revered. He regularly taught devotees at merit-making ceremonies, reminding people to be mindful and thoughtful, cautioning them not to let emotions override judgment, and encouraging them to think before acting.

In 1967, he permitted disciples to create sacred objects—7,000 Surin Phrom amulet bells and 7,000 Surin Phrom powder amulets (brown clay)—distributed as commemorations without commercial sale. In 1977, he authorized the temple to create commemorative medals for his 60th birthday to raise funds for the Wat Klang Surin Foundation. All sacred objects bear his spiritual qualities of compassion and blessing, and disciples treasure them as family heirlooms.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, serving as Interior Minister, chaired a meeting of three committees overseeing major ceremonial occasions: 1) the committee organizing the 99th birthday celebration for His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on June 26, 2026; 2) the committee for a grand royal ceremony commemorating his fourth reign cycle on June 3, 2026; and 3) the committee honoring Queen Rampai Barni of the seventh reign on the centennial recognition of her royal legacy.

The meeting was attended by senior Buddhist officials including Somdet Phra Mahaviriwongsa (Suchin Akkachino), secretary to the Supreme Patriarch, and Phrarajvatchraphattrajarn (Abhanya Abhinyyo), assistant secretary to the Supreme Patriarch, both from Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram temple. Also present were Phrachinavongvachiravet (Techin Intatecho) and Artsit Samphantarat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, along with parliamentary leadership, government advisors, and relevant officials at the Santitiprathet Building in Government House.

The meeting tracked preparations for the 99th birthday celebration of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand scheduled for June 26, 2026.

Permission was granted to proceed with the 99th birthday celebration with the following details:

1) Event naming and scope:

Thailand name: "Celebrations on the Occasion of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand's 99th Birthday Anniversary, June 26, 2026" English name: "The Celebrations on the Occasion of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand's 99th Birthday Anniversary 26th June 2026"

The event will run from March 1 through December 31, 2026 with major activities including:

– A Buddhist chanting ceremony and merit-making almsgiving on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM

– An ordination program dedicated to the occasion from June 13-29, 2026 at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram temple

– Exhibitions and tribute activities from June 19-21, 2026 at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram temple

– Production of commemorative publications, medals, coins, and postage stamps

The meeting emphasized that all responsible agencies must coordinate effectively to ensure the celebrations proceed smoothly and with appropriate dignity, with designated agencies bearing primary responsibility and supporting agencies providing assistance.

LOEI — On May 22, 2026, Thai security forces intercepted over 1.08 million methamphetamine pills along the Mekong River in northeastern Thailand after suspected drug traffickers escaped across the border into Laos.

The operation began around 4 a.m. Friday near Highway 211 in Ban Sangao village, Huai Phichai subdistrict, Pak Chom district, following intelligence about a major drug shipment destined for the area.

Troops from the Surasak Montri Task Force, border narcotics suppression units, and local security agencies were deployed along the riverbank for surveillance. Officers spotted a suspicious pickup truck near the Mekong and observed three men loading black sacks into the vehicle.

When security personnel moved in to make an arrest, the suspects scattered into the darkness. They allegedly commandeered two motorized long-tail boats belonging to villagers and fled across the Mekong into Laos. The pickup truck driver separately escaped along Highway 211 toward Sangkhom district in neighboring Nong Khai province.

After securing the area, authorities discovered three sacks containing approximately 1.08 million yaba pills and confiscated one motorized long-tail boat. The drugs were transported to a local ranger unit base for inspection and subsequently handed over to Pak Chom police as evidence. Authorities continue efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network.

Sahamongkolfilm International launches a new installment of 'The Horror Universe Within University Gates' with 'Term 4,' featuring four horror legends, four institutions, and four regions: 'Pink Room,' 'Nang Snam House,' 'D-Day Night,' and 'White Bridge,' starring Pun Pantita Buunchuan, Jorinn Kamphiriphand, Aung Prammonthol Eamjunthore, Tad Thaapana Jongkolrattanaprnn, Jen Kuljiranat Warraksa, Tango Thitinanth Rattanthitinandt, Kao Jirayou Laongmani, and V Violette Wautier.

'Pink Room,' directed by Poeng Saleeni Khemjarus, showcases a northern university horror legend. A beautifully decorated pink dorm room is actually layered with deep crimson bloodstains embedded in the walls. No matter how many times it's repainted, it cannot erase the resentment of its former occupant. Kaninning (Pun Pantita), a freshman forced into the only remaining dorm room, discovers it's the cursed space where a heartbroken student once ended her life. Though the dormitory tried to conceal the tragedy with fresh pink paint, the deep-seated resentment becomes increasingly apparent each night as the original occupant's spirit lingers, seeking to reclaim her eternal space.

'Nang Snam House,' directed by Mooya Thamuyaa Tatchanakul, presents a central region university legend. The Nang Snam House is a location students avoid because whenever they pass by, they witness something unspeakable from outside. Grace (Jorinn), a fashion-major model, works for Biew (Aung Prammonthol), a talented senior photographer. Grace constantly compares herself to Biew until she discovers a shocking secret behind Biew's perfect work. When Grace accepts an invitation to investigate during a photoshoot at the old Nang Snam House—with its legendary tales of a former royal concubine's death—neither realizes what awaits them.

'D-Day Night,' directed by Ko Chakkra Chaiyapreecha, tells a famous southern university legend. D-Day Night is a freshman initiation activity where those who don't participate will be visited by senior ghosts who will 'boom' them to death. When the boom ends, the new student dies. Pow (Tad ATLAS), a freshman who recently lost his best friend in an accident, blames himself and refuses to participate in any activities, including orientation. The university has a legend about a senior student who died in a car crash while heading to graduation. Every year during freshman orientation, those who don't attend will be 'boomed' by senior spirits, and when the boom ends, that new student dies instantly. This year, Noy (Jen Kuljiranat), Pow's friend, must find a solution with the help of Shutter (Tango Thitinanth), a student from another faculty who has secretly harbored feelings for Noy, now entangled in this deadly fate.

'White Bridge,' directed by Tum Puttipong Saisirikae, speaks of the White Bridge—a landmark of horror at a northeastern university. This bridge of blood once overflowed with corpses layered upon the dead, while above it, a student had their heart torn out in a horrifying accident. Mind (V Violette) and Boss (Kao Jirayou), an engineering faculty couple who dated from year one through year four, chose to end their relationship at White Bridge, a location infamous for tragic couple legends. This becomes the beginning of their encounter with spirits that will continue to haunt them until they get what they seek.

Prepare to be terrified by four horror legends in 'Term 4,' releasing May 28th at cinemas.

On May 22, Dr. Sujai Wongswat, a senior physician and spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, addressed the Ebola virus situation, emphasizing that Ebola is not a new disease but an infectious viral illness that has continuously spread across Africa. Multiple outbreaks have occurred since 2014, 2016, and 2022, with the latest in 2025 involving the rare Bundibugyo strain—not a newly discovered variant. As of May 17, there were over 250 suspected cases and approximately 160 deaths linked to the disease, prompting global vigilance. Thailand has yet to identify any suspected or confirmed Ebola cases in 2025.

Dr. Sujai explained that Ebola belongs to the viral hemorrhagic fever category, distinct from dengue fever commonly found in Thailand. The virus is in the Filovirus family and primarily spreads in Africa. Severe Ebola symptoms limit patient mobility outside outbreak zones, containing transmission largely to Africa.

"Disease transmission originates from animals to humans, with fruit bats serving as the natural reservoir, before spreading person-to-person through contact with secretions, blood, or contaminated materials from patients. Unlike COVID-19 or influenza, it does not spread through respiratory droplets, resulting in slower transmission," Dr. Sujai stated.

Ebola's average transmission rate is approximately 1.95, indicating it can spread but requires close contact. Currently, six Ebola strains exist, with four capable of infecting humans. The previously prevalent Zaire strain now has vaccines and treatments, but the current Bundibugyo outbreak lacks approved medications or vaccines. Vaccine development is expected to take at least three to nine months. The disease has an incubation period of two to 21 days, initially resembling flu with high fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, progressing to severe symptoms including abnormal hemorrhaging, with mortality rates between 40-80%.

Following outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and two confirmed cases in Uganda with travel history from Congo, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2025, though it has not yet reached pandemic status. Thailand has escalated surveillance accordingly.

"The Ministry of Public Health has declared the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as Ebola-affected zones, effective May 21, to strengthen disease control and prevention measures, including traveler screening, airport surveillance, and nationwide hospital monitoring, while preparing disease investigation teams and laboratory testing facilities," Dr. Sujai said.

Dr. Rom Buathong, acting senior physician and director of the International Disease Control and Quarantine Division, noted that all travelers—Thai citizens and foreigners—from these two countries must undergo health screening at disease control checkpoints upon entering Thailand. At-risk travelers must complete health declaration forms through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system.