UBON RATCHATHANI — Four heirs of the Smitthaman family have pledged to donate nearly 67 rai (about 107,000 square metres) of land in central Warin Chamrap, valued at around 1 billion baht, to support the expansion of medical services at Warin Chamrap Hospital.

According to a Facebook post by Warin Chamrap Hospital, the hospital's director, Piyawat Angkawanich, along with executives, doctors, nurses and staff, formally received a letter of intent for the land donation on 27 April.

The land, measuring approximately 66 rai, 3 ngan and 7.4 square wah (around 107,000 sq m), is located in Kham Nam Saep subdistrict. It is being donated by the heirs of the late Lt. Pin Smitthaman and Mrs. Wichian Smitthaman — namely Prapit, Narumon, Laddawan and Kannika Smitthaman.

The donated plot will be used for medical purposes, including the development of a new medical centre aimed at supporting growing demand for healthcare services in the area.

Piyawat, speaking on behalf of the hospital and local residents, expressed gratitude for what he described as a significant act of generosity by the Smitthaman family. He said the land would serve as a key foundation for easing congestion at existing facilities and enhancing the hospital's capacity to provide more comprehensive and efficient care.

The plot is situated in a central area of Warin Chamrap district and is considered highly valuable due to its location, with an estimated worth of around 1 billion baht.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 4 May 2026 — A woman from Prachin Buri has come forward with allegations that her husband of 23 years left her after engaging in a relationship with a Buddhist monk, in a case that has sparked widespread debate online.

The story first surfaced on a Facebook page, which claimed the woman was left shocked after discovering the alleged relationship. The post said she was also asked to accept a three-person relationship, prompting her to leave home with just 6,000 baht to start a new life.

The allegations quickly drew strong reactions from social media users, with many criticising the conduct of both the man and the monk, saying it could constitute a serious breach of monastic discipline.

Reporters visited a temple in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday to verify the claims. A monk there said he had only briefly seen the individual mentioned, describing him as reclusive and rarely interacting with others. He added that the monk had not been seen at the temple recently and confirmed he was not affiliated with the temple.

The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of Buddhism later identified the monk as Phra Phonchai, around 30 years old, who was ordained in 2024 at a temple in Phra Thong Kham district.

Officals said he is currently registered at a temple in Det Udom district, Ubon Ratchathani province, and had previously studied Buddhist scriptures at Wat Bueng Phra Aram Luang in July 2025, but was not formally affiliated with the temple.

Authorities said they were unaware of his personal conduct and could not confirm the allegations. They added that coordination with relevant offices in Ubon Ratchathani was under way to establish the facts and take appropriate action.

In a separate statement, Wat Bueng Phra Aram Luang clarified that the monk mentioned in reports was not part of its clergy, but had only temporarily stayed to study and had left the temple in October 2025.

The temple stressed that any alleged behaviour was a personal matter and not connected to the institution, urging the public to await verification by relevant authorities.

The case continues to draw attention, with questions raised over its potential impact on public confidence in the Buddhist clergy.

A comprehensive article documenting rare Buddhist amulets and sacred objects highly valued by collectors. The piece highlights the first edition Luang Pho Rung coins from 1941, which are extremely scarce with only an estimated 8 silver versions and a single gold specimen remaining in circulation. It also covers the distinctive water-droplet shaped coins featuring the late monk's portrait with sacred yantra inscriptions on the reverse. Additionally, the article discusses Luang Pu Thong Dam's Samadej amulets created in 1980, which blended multiple blessed powders and pieces of ancient monastery robes, representing a collectible piece for amulet enthusiasts. Expert collectors reportedly refer to the first edition Luang Pho Rung coins as the "old-faced printing," reflecting their rarity and exceptional spiritual significance.

The relationship between Ice Atthichanan Srisweak and Big Nattharatchai Charismass has become the talk of the town after fans directly questioned them about their status. Big answered straightforwardly, saying "we're already a couple," marking the first clear confirmation and sending fans into a frenzy.

Recalling earlier events, late last year Chap Warakorn Sawasakorn announced the end of his relationship with Ice after over three years of dating, emphasizing there was no third party involved but rather incompatible life goals. Despite the breakup, they still have good feelings for each other and maintain distant contact, with Chap stating he didn't want them dwelling in sadness and supporting them to move on when appropriate.

Meanwhile, Big recently closed the chapter on a seven-year relationship with his ex-girlfriend in April before starting fresh with Ice. He jokingly added, "Otherwise she wouldn't let me get close."

Ice herself addressed the criticism about moving on too quickly, saying "it's not that fast," while Big added that after going through such difficult times, the emotional pain was considerable.

At 12:40 p.m. on May 4, 2025, at Phum Jai Thai Party headquarters, MP Nattachon Srikokeuea of Songkhla explained that he manages approximately 1,000 LINE accounts and had exited multiple party groups, including MP batches 25 and 26, as well as the original Southern region MP group. He acknowledged accidentally sending messages to wrong groups due to the high number of chats, but stressed this was not motivated by disappointment—it was a prior agreement regarding committee assignments.

Following his exit, party procedures took over rather than direct intervention from the Prime Minister or party secretary. The opposition coordination committee investigated his departure and subsequently invited him back to the groups with no other complications. "I can confirm there's no resentment because we had an agreement beforehand," Nattachon stated. "As a politician, we shouldn't just protect our own image or reputation—we must look after our own well-being. This is political philosophy. Whether we get a position depends on the party executive board, and there are many other tasks to handle."

Nattachon revealed that since leaving the LINE group, he has received more assignments from party executives, party leadership, and the opposition coordination committee for parliamentary coordination and extra-parliamentary work. "The LINE departure turned out to be a good opportunity to contribute more to the party," he explained. When asked about specific promises for future positions, he said there were none yet, but he expects to focus on pending legislation regarding loans and the 2025 budget, particularly the Land Bridge project which significantly affects the Southern region.

Channel 7HD presents a new action-drama-comedy series "Cruel Love Song" from Gold CP.G Entertainment, based on a story by Khon Nam Khem with television adaptation by Phukhao. The series is directed by and stars Ekkachai Rungsiroj Pantpeng alongside leading man Ben Santirat Kulnaphakiatti, who plays 'Chaiya,' a skilled young detective. This marks his first on-screen pairing with actress Jeda Sranya Chunjaisathit, who portrays 'Poona,' a beautiful aspiring singer. The supporting cast includes Ris Wichyapong Iamsaad as Manas, Mint Phortiva Sakharchun as Maria, Pul Poolpat Atthapassyapol as Sorrak, and famous Luk Thung singer Fon Thanasunthorn in the roles of Wilai and Aronong.

"Cruel Love Song" tells the story of Poona, a talented young woman who dreams of becoming a singer but is instead sent to infiltrate a music label to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths—a case potentially linked to criminal networks. Meanwhile, Chaiya, a young police detective, receives a secret mission to go undercover investigating the same case, pretending to be a YouTuber. Their misunderstandings gradually blossom into romance, but as they get closer to the truth, obstacles multiply. The chemistry between Ben and Jeda promises to deliver an entertaining ride.

Ben Santirat shared: "In this role, I play Chaiya, a detective sent to tackle drug trafficking by a powerful figure in a village. I'll be undercover as a YouTuber conducting the investigation. This series has plenty of action sequences in the style of director Akhlorn Phoncharoen, who has collaborated with Ekkachai for a long time. That blend of Akhlorn's signature style with Ekkachai's direction creates something contemporary and well-balanced. The story is rich in flavor and features beautiful songs that match the title. As for whether I'll sing with Jeda, I'll let you discover that by watching. We've worked together before on 'Kwang Thang Buen,' but this is our first time playing opposite each other. There's good chemistry with no need for adjustment—Jeda is talented and dedicated, especially when it comes to singing. Please tune in!"

Jeda Sranya added: "I play Poona, who dreams of becoming an artist and singer. I was raised by my uncle, Ekkachai, who discouraged me from pursuing music. This creates mystery about why he opposed my involvement in the industry—a key thread in the story. Poona is a fighter, a bit rebellious, but deeply caring toward family and friends. She has some action scenes, though not as many as Ben's. I'm thrilled to work with Ben again and play opposite him for the first time. We already have good rapport, and Ben is as charming as ever. We'll constantly exchange ideas about how to play each scene. I hope you'll watch 'Cruel Love Song'—it's entertaining, beautifully made, and features wonderful songs. Stay tuned to see if Poona achieves her dream of becoming a singer!"

Tune in to "Cruel Love Song" every Monday through Friday at 7:00 PM on Channel 7HD (digital TV channel 35).