Thursday, July 9, 2025 commemorates the 35th anniversary of the death of Phra Kru Atthanyanansopon, also known as Luang Pu Phol Yanajari of Wat Nong Bua Noi in Kham Rian Subdistrict, Phayakkhaphumi District, Maha Sarakham Province, a renowned Buddhist elder of Sarakham. He was a Dhamma successor of the famous northeastern monk Luang Pu Sathoo Sukhdhamma of Wat Ban Lao. Originally named Phol Phan Phayak, he was born on October 12, 1920, at Nong Bua Noi in Kham Rian Subdistrict, Phayakkhaphumi District, Maha Sarakham Province. In his youth, he completed fourth-grade education at Ban Nong Kaew School but had to help his family with farming and raising siblings. When Luang Pu Sathoo became renowned, Phol learned of his reputation and developed strong faith in his practice, asking his parents to take him to ordain under Luang Pu Sathoo at Wat Ban Lao. He served closely and studied the monastic curriculum, with his teacher generously transmitting all knowledge to him. He served as the last senior disciple of Luang Pu Sathoo until 1940, when he respectfully departed to reside at his home temple, Wat Nong Bua Noi.

He later underwent higher ordination at Wat Rasat Charoen in Ban Mabo, Kham Rian Subdistrict, with Phra Kru Chantharasat as his preceptor, Phra Kru Bunyamanit as his instructor, and Phra Atkarn Phuang as his witness. After ordination, his relatives invited him to reside at Wat Nong Nai for six rain retreats. From 1946 onwards, locals of Nong Bua Noi invited him to reside at their temple. His practice was well-known; each year after the rainy season, he would undertake forest wandering in many mountains and jungles, sometimes traveling to Laos and Cambodia. As a strict observer of Dhamma and Vinaya, he was revered as an accomplished meditation master worthy of devotion. Daily, devotees from all directions traveled to pay respects, receive blessed water with Buddhist incantations, sacred amulets, and blessed coins bearing his image. Donations were used to develop the temple, building assembly halls, Dhamma halls, and glass walls. He also emphasized education, establishing a Dhamma and Pali school and donated meals to local schools. In 1957, he was appointed abbot of Wat Nong Bua Noi and presiding elder of various subdistrict councils. In 1974, he was appointed preceptor. In 1977, he received the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Kru Tri (Third Class), receiving the title Phra Kru Atthanyanansopon. In 1986, he was promoted to Phra Kru Tho (Second Class). His teaching emphasized simple virtues: "Do good, refrain from evil, and life will bring only good things." Due to the impermanence of all conditioned things, he passed away peacefully from old age on July 9, 2534 (1991), at the age of 71 and after 53 rain retreats.

A curry rice restaurant is holding its prices steady despite a major oil price cut, citing concerns about other rising ingredient costs. On July 8, a reporter visited Samjai Curry Rice Restaurant Branch 2 in Nakhon Ratchasima following a fuel price reduction that took effect at 5 a.m. Gasoline and gasohol dropped 2.51 baht per liter, while diesel fell 2.56 baht per liter. Many observers watched to see whether restaurants would cut menu prices accordingly.

Piayapong Mitsamphand, 40, owner of Samjai Curry Rice Restaurant Branch 2, explained that while the oil price reduction helps ease some operational costs, the restaurant is not lowering its curry rice prices. The shop has absorbed cost increases from rising oil and ingredient prices without raising menu prices, and has kept customers informed throughout. Even with nearly a 3-baht-per-liter fuel reduction, the owner said there is no guarantee prices will remain stable or won't spike again. The restaurant is freezing curry rice prices for now, but will consider cuts if oil and ingredient costs continue to fall sustainably.

The owner appealed to the government to control wholesale prices for cooking gas, pork, vegetables, cooking oil, sugar, and other food ingredients—critical factors in setting menu prices. If upstream costs drop, the restaurant stands ready to lower prices accordingly. Currently, the shop sells curry rice at 50 baht and specialty dishes at 60 baht, maintaining generous portions without overcharging customers. The owner stated that if the government resolves upstream pricing problems and reduces ingredient costs, retail establishments will naturally be able to cut prices too.

One customer said she understands the restaurant's costs, noting that food preparation involves many expenses beyond fuel alone. She suggested that if restaurants are to cut prices, ingredient suppliers should lower their prices first. She viewed the cost-of-living crisis as requiring systematic government management so both businesses and consumers benefit fairly.

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnveerakul, serving as Interior Minister, chaired the second meeting of 2025 for the Public-Private Collaboration Committee for Economic Problem Solving (PPCC). Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced this was a special session with one agenda item: preparing for and preventing floods in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, before the 2025 monsoon season.

The focus on Hat Yai reflects its status as southern Thailand's economic center, aimed at reassuring residents and businesses. The initiative will serve as a sandbox model for implementing water management solutions across southern provinces before year-end monsoon rains.

The Prime Minister stressed that integrated water management requires forward-looking planning to prevent the damage witnessed in 2024. He noted that budget allocation is not the main concern, as long-term flood prevention offers greater value than emergency response. However, every baht of public funds must be spent efficiently and effectively. Initial funding will come from agency budgets, with central reserves available only for urgent cases.

The PM emphasized the importance of timely information dissemination before and during flooding events, including evacuation plans and disaster relief operations, which must be clearly communicated and continuously reinforced. Such communication costs nothing but significantly reduces damage to affected populations.

The National Water Resources Office (NWRO) presented a master plan based on lessons learned from previous disasters, featuring nine urgent projects from Songkhla's PPCC aligned with upstream-midstream-downstream water management principles. Projects include pipe dredging, flood prevention equipment procurement, automated spillway gate installation, drainage capacity enhancement, and aquatic weed removal—all designed to be completed before monsoon season and strengthen flood defense in southern Thailand's key economic areas.

The meeting tasked Minister Phradon Parisnannantkul with coordinating with NWRO and the Budget Bureau to review plans and budgets reflecting the committee's recommendations. The Interior Ministry was designated as the lead agency to coordinate with relevant departments in preparing comprehensive flooding solutions for Hat Yai, integrating transportation and water management systems before presentation to Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn for inclusion in annual operational plans.

Bam, known as "Mia Luang," revealed that she previously begged her husband's mistress not to harm him after he cheated with a local woman. She says this time the pain is too much and she will not return to him.

The scandal erupted after a clip with 77 million views went viral online. In the video, Bam discovered her husband naked with another woman in bed, and the footage humorously highlighted a Doraemon pillow and a green water bottle on the pink mattress.

Recently, Bam opened up on the "Hone Kraeng" program (July 8, 2025), and when asked by host Num Krachai if she needed to prepare dog food, she firmly stated she would not return.

Bam explained she had tolerated infidelity multiple times and given him many chances. Previously, she had returned for their child's sake, but this time she was certain it was over.

Meanwhile, the other woman involved is reportedly planning to file a police report over the viral video posted online.

During the interview, Bam recounted her three-year relationship with Ball, saying she had never had a boyfriend for this long. They registered their marriage after their child was born because someone told her they could claim back payments, but Ball took the money—about 5,000 baht—immediately.

Bam shared a particularly painful incident when she was pregnant. Ball was communicating with another woman, though that woman didn't know he had a girlfriend. While Bam was giving birth at her family home in Nakhon Phanom, a man messaged Ball's Facebook asking if he knew someone who was sleeping with his wife. Ball initially denied it until the man contacted the woman's husband for proof, which he sent.

Ball threatened to confront this man at his factory, demanding to know where he lived. Bam then reached out to the man, begging him not to harm her boyfriend. She even had Ball raise his hands in a respectful gesture. "I was in so much pain, but I was more worried about him," Bam said. "I knew every time he contacted other women. I could sense when things changed."

Bam revealed she pleaded with the man through tears, asking him not to hurt or harm her husband, fearing their child would lose his father. When asked why she tolerated so much, Bam admitted it was because she loved him deeply. "Eating with him was the most delicious, hugging him was the warmest," she said, adding that she had even entrusted work projects to him.

Bam spoke tearfully about her love, saying she couldn't sleep on nights when Ball worked late shifts. When host Krachai asked if the look in her eyes showed she still loved him, Bam replied: "I love him, but I don't want to go back anymore. This time, forgiveness is over."

When asked what if he apologized, she firmly said: "No."

Krachai advised her to think carefully before speaking, but Bam was resolute: "I'm confident. There's no way I'm going back to how things were."

Source: Hone Kraeng program, July 8, 2025

Army Region 2 conducted training on artificial intelligence applications to support data analysis, media production, and enhance military operations. On July 8, 2025, at Yuthai Hall, Infantry Regiment 3, Suranari Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, General Wirayut Raksil, commander of Army Region 2, presided over the awards ceremony and closing of the "Artificial Intelligence Applications in Military Operations" course for battalion-level and senior personnel of Army Region 2.

The training was held July 6-7, 2025, with 62 participants. It aimed to build knowledge, understanding, and skills in applying AI technology to support data analysis, media production, work efficiency improvement, and command decision-making, ultimately strengthening unit capabilities and preparing personnel for future security challenges.

Instructors were provided by the Network and Digital Operations Division of the Army Operations Center, in coordination with Army Region 2's 22nd Signal Battalion, which delivered both theoretical knowledge and practical workshops to enable participants to effectively apply AI in their work.

During the closing ceremony, General Wirayut Raksil reminded participants to apply their knowledge in actual operations and share it with their units. He emphasized the importance of using AI ethically and securely, strictly prohibiting the input of classified or sensitive military operational data into AI systems.

Following the ceremony, the commander reviewed workshop projects and presented awards to outstanding groups and certificates to instructors. Army Region 2 remains committed to developing personnel to keep pace with modern technology and appropriately adopt digital innovations to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen force readiness, and effectively counter emerging threats in the future.