Mom Gror Kasemsr, a Bangkok governor candidate, announced on May 22 that she will officially launch her campaign on May 24 at 3 p.m. at Thammasat Society under the 'SAVE BKK – BKK SAFE' platform, introducing her expert team. She invited a former prime minister knowledgeable in finance and economics to chair her advisory board, emphasizing that as an independent candidate she needs specialized expertise to tackle cost-of-living issues and help Bangkok survive overlapping crises. She described her role as a military commander driving the capital's development and solving residents' problems. When asked if she was concerned about competing with former Governor Chatchatchai Sitthipuntharik, Mom Gror said she wasn't bothered by such comparisons, as she believes she's volunteering to fill existing gaps. She noted that while traditionally governors were seen as household managers, the current economic turmoil requires governors to act as battlefield commanders leading Bangkok through crisis, while still collaborating with permanent administrative staff handling routine operations.

Led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, the parliamentary Justice, Law, and Human Rights Committee, including committee chairman Rangsiman Rohm, conducted an inspection of Bangkok Special Prison in the Lad Yao district on May 22, 2569 (2026). The committee visited various sections including the reception ward for elderly and vulnerable inmates, vocational training facilities, the prison kitchen, and the medical clinic to assess the quality of life and conditions for imprisoned individuals serving long sentences.

During the inspection, the committee discussed with prison director Kiattikorn Patmothat and relevant officials about policy frameworks for improving healthcare access, rehabilitation programs, and preparation for inmates' reintegration into society. Committee chairman Rangsiman noted concerns about inmates' access to current information about the outside world, particularly those serving lengthy sentences, and emphasized the need to improve legal aid fund accessibility to help inmates secure temporary release to defend their cases in court.

Rangsiman highlighted that many inmates face obstacles in gathering documents for their legal defense while imprisoned and called for improved systems to support their cases, as proper legal representation during trial is crucial for proving innocence. The committee plans to further study these issues raised by inmates to develop more effective solutions for the justice system.

On May 22, 2569, the Subcommittee on Commerce and Digital Economy under the Senate Commerce and Industry Committee, led by Senator Ekchai Rueangrat, held discussions with the Consumer Council headed by Saree Ongsom Huang, Secretary-General of the Consumer Council Office, to plan a seminar on protecting consumers from online fraud.

Senator Ekchai revealed after the meeting that participants agreed Thailand is fully transitioning into a digital society (E-Society), with transactions, commerce, investments, and services increasingly moving online. Simultaneously, cyber threats are evolving just as rapidly, including money transfer scams, account draining, fake account creation, and identity fraud, causing widespread consumer damage.

Data from the Anti-Online Fraud Center (ACSC) shows that in the first four months of 2569, over 121,921 cases were reported with total damages exceeding 7,480 million baht. E-commerce fraud cases remain the highest category, while investment scams cause the greatest financial harm. Facebook is identified as the platform where consumers face the most deception, with the Consumer Council receiving numerous complaints about social media scams totaling over 165 million baht in damages.

"This shows that many victims still lack access to remedies, despite the government enacting the Prevention of Cybercrime Act Version 2 over a year ago to strengthen accountability. In practice, however, the mechanism to help defrauded citizens remains ineffective, while online platforms—the primary channels criminals use—lack clear responsibility to adequately protect users," Ekchai stated.

From the discussions, participants agreed to organize a public forum to allow victims to voice problems, exchange policy recommendations, and collectively develop stronger consumer protection measures suited to the digital economy context. They will also study the feasibility of new legal frameworks to effectively hold platforms accountable while establishing a long-term implementation plan. The forum is scheduled for June 19, 2569 in the B1 conference room of the Parliament Building.

The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), through its Biodiversity Management Division, organized the 2025 International Biodiversity Day celebration on May 22 at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok under the theme 'Acting Locally for Global Impact.' Prinyaporn Suvanakate, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environmental Ministry, served as guest of honor, while Deputy Secretary-General Nareerat Punmani delivered remarks alongside Deputy Secretary-General Kanda Chugaew. More than 400 participants attended, representing government agencies, private enterprises, civil society networks, and educational institutions.

The annual International Biodiversity Day aims to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity's importance while promoting its sustainable conservation and utilization. It serves as a platform for Thailand to showcase its achievements in advancing sustainable biodiversity protection and resource management.

Program highlights included exhibitions honoring the late Queen Sirikit as 'Mother of Biodiversity Conservation,' displays from government agencies, private companies, academic institutions, and environmental networks, and certificate presentations to areas recognized as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Three panel discussions were held: a special presentation on Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's book 'Some of My Observations on Biodiversity in Thailand,' a network discussion on strengthening Thailand's biodiversity transformation, and a business forum addressing nature-positive initiatives for global impact.

Insights gathered from participants will help demonstrate Thailand's progress in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, reinforcing the country's commitment to implementing global cooperation frameworks.

Transfermarkt, the world's leading German-based football database, has released statistics on the 13 players with the most championship titles. The rankings were updated after Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo clinched his 34th career championship with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, earning him 13th place overall. Thai veteran fullback Uum Theerathorn Boonmatan, at 36 years old, ranks 9th on the list with 36 career championships, equaling the trophy haul of notable players like Ángel Di María, Gerard Piqué, and Andrés Iniesta. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi leads all players with 45 championships, followed by Brazilian midfielder Marquinhos with 42, and Brazilian defender Dani Alves in third place with 41.

The book 'How to Chant for Maximum Merit and Virtue' Author: Editorial team of Liang Chiang Publishing House Published by: Liang Chiang Publishing House for Buddhism Price: 18 baht

"Any household that regularly practices chanting and worshipping the Buddha, cultivating virtuous discipline, will experience no quarreling but only forgiveness and compassion. Such a home becomes a place of supreme happiness and comfort throughout life until its end. Therefore, the practice of chanting and worshipping the Buddha while cultivating virtue holds great benefit. If practiced consistently with sincere intention, one will transform from wrongdoing to righteousness and experience lasting happiness." – Dharmic teachings from Phra Tham Singhaburajacharya (Luang Por Charn Jitdhamma), former abbot of Wat Ampawan, Sing Buri province.

Though Buddhism, founded by the Buddha, emerged over 2,500 years ago, its light of dharma continues to illuminate and guide the path of life, helping people understand right from wrong. However, the benefit one receives depends on each individual's dedication to studying and learning Buddhist teachings.

Chanting is another method for acquiring wisdom, as it originally served as a means of memorization – reciting teachings orally, a practice called "mukhapatha." The Buddha instructed Venerable Upali to recite and memorize the Vinaya (monastic code) and Venerable Ananda to recite and memorize the Sutras, which proved invaluable during the First Buddhist Council, as these two senior monks accurately preserved the Buddha's teachings without error. Later, chanting developed as a protective practice against various dangers, earning it the additional name "protective chanting."

Today, regardless of what one hopes to gain through chanting, as a Buddhist practitioner, when you bow and chant before the Buddha, strive to understand the dharma by studying the meaning of the chants. Upon understanding, practice accordingly so your life proceeds smoothly and safely.

It is hoped that the contents of this book, filled with chants and teachings on how to achieve maximum merit and virtue, will help you recognize the value of merit – goodness – and the value of virtue – wisdom – as foundations for lasting happiness.

May the true dharma remain in your heart forever.

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**'The Yellow-Furred Animal' – A Critical Examination of Buddhist Monks** **The Core of Suffering's Foundation in 'Mulmadhyamakakrika'**

"Those who associate with the wicked inevitably become wicked..." – A teaching from Phra Buddhagosha (P.A. Payutto) of Wat Yanawesakawan.

This week's column introduces a quality book from Inbend Publishing: "The Yellow-Furred Animal" by Uten Promadaeng, a short story collection critically examining Buddhist monks and religious beliefs. Many Buddhists of previous generations view criticizing monks as sinful karma creation. Some witness monks exhibiting misconduct but dare not speak or rebuke them, treating the monkhood as a privileged status above ordinary humans. Society reveres them; food and money flow to them without effort; wrongdoings often go unchallenged. Some behave like gangsters or influential figures cloaked in yellow robes. Modern monks are no exception – today's sangha seemingly does everything: fighting, drinking alcohol, engaging in sexual misconduct, committing fraud, purchasing ecclesiastical ranks. This book addresses these issues directly through short stories that largely critique monks. This appears to be the first and only collection of its kind, priced at 299 baht.