A 13-year-old girl from Sanmenxia in Henan Province, China, obsessed with anime and manga, secretly spent nearly 180,000 yuan (approximately 850,000 baht) from her family's savings to commission artwork online without anyone's knowledge. Her family faces financial hardship, with her mother suffering from schizophrenia and her father experiencing brain damage from a gas leak accident in 2025 that affects his cognitive function and reaction time. The girl's father, who trusted her completely with his phone and ATM card, and the limited supervision by other family members, allowed her to gradually withdraw money through online platforms to support artists in exchange for special artwork she desired. When the father needed to pay for car repairs and discovered his accounts were nearly empty, he tearfully explained that the 180,000 yuan across three cards represented his life savings accumulated over years of migrant work, originally intended for his daughter's future. Upon realizing the gravity of her actions, the girl broke down in tears and apologized to her father, saying she was unworthy of being his child, while her father, deeply saddened, comforted her with gentleness. The girl admitted to spending heavily on hiring online artists because of her love for anime and manga, and before she realized it, all the family's savings were gone. The family is now attempting to contact the relevant platforms seeking assistance and hoping to recover at least some of the money to sustain their livelihood. The girl has apologized sincerely to her father and promised never to touch his hard-earned money again, nor to spend money on such expensive pursuits in the future.

On May 11, 2026, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, accompanied by Deputy Minister Nan Buntida Somchai and their delegation, traveled to Yasothon Province to officially open the 2026 Bun Bang Fai Festival. The event was welcomed by Provincial Governor Chanchhai Srisrivichay, Yasothon City Mayor Nathapol Naksuk, and other government and private sector leaders, drawing large crowds of locals and tourists.

The minister's team visited the Wimarn Phaya Thaan landmark to assess its potential as a historical and cultural tourism site integrated with smart tourism data systems (Big Data), aimed at attracting more foreign visitors to the Northeast region. They also visited the festival coordination center to review community tourism promotion projects, including Yasothon farm stays and the Lab Yasothon local cuisine campaign.

The opening ceremony included paying respects to the royal portrait and a moment of silence honoring the late Queen Sirikit. Awards were presented to youth champions of the 2026 Runbike World Championship from Japan, and attendees witnessed the spectacular parade of 22 illuminated rockets.

Minister Chaiyachon noted that the Rocket Festival represents the spirit of Northeast Thais and highlighted this year's significant changes—moving the event to evening hours for heat safety and incorporating innovative light, color, and sound technology with the traditional rocket procession. He emphasized that the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is committed to supporting technology-driven initiatives that will enhance Yasothon's soft power, generate community income, and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

At 10:00 AM on May 11, 2025, at the Democrat Party headquarters, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva briefed candidates ahead of a seminar for prospective Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) members. He explained that the seminar is standard procedure before the party submits candidates, featuring discussions on party framework operations, election laws, and related matters. The party completed candidate approvals for all BMC districts last week, prompting this gathering.

When asked if the gubernatorial candidate would attend, Abhisit stated that Sakolthee Pattiyakul, the party vice-leader overseeing Bangkok, announced the official reveal would occur on Saturday, May 16. He declined to disclose the candidate's identity but confirmed the candidate is male, well-known in society, and urged patience for the official announcement.

Regarding the formation of an administrative team including deputy governors and advisors, Abhisit said this was not immediate, though various experts stand ready to assist, with their official positions still under discussion.

When asked if the party's candidate can compete effectively, Abhisit emphasized the Democrats are fully committed, having a duty to offer Bangkok voters alternatives. The party has prepared candidates, policies, BMC candidates, and comprehensive organization.

Addressing public opinion surveys showing limited excitement about the gubernatorial race, Abhisit said voters will decide. Regarding current Governor Chadchart Sittipunt's self-rating of 5 out of 10, Abhisit suggested higher standards are possible. He noted many issues the Democrats could address if given opportunity, asking people to await May 16's announcement.

When asked whether a male candidate would compete against independent candidate Mallika Boonmetrattakul, Abhisit said it was unrelated.

Asked if the party's candidate would generate excitement upon reveal, Abhisit said he couldn't predict media reaction, but hinted the candidate is a young-generation figure under 60 with good appearance and strong profile, urging people to await the May 16 reveal.

Abhisit then opened a legal seminar for all 50 BMC candidates across districts, thanking them for volunteering. He explained that running under the Democrat Party differs from House candidates—BMC members work in local legislative oversight requiring specific ideology and principles. Party affiliation provides voters clarity on policy direction. While voters may have personal preferences, council members remain checks on administration.

"The party guarantees full work autonomy within the local council, while candidates can still consult the party, as the party framework helps advance party policies," Abhisit stated.

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Department of Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with Sukhothai Province through the Sukhothai Provincial Cultural Office, organized a temple merit practice activity called "Family Merit Basket Day, Faith-Filled Merit, Community Support – Bridge of Merit Alms Offering, Welcoming Sukhothai's Dawn" at Wat Traphang Thong's merit bridge in Sukhothai Province. Venerable Phra Maha Damrung Santhajitto, abbot of Wat Traphang Thong, served as head of the monastic side, while Mr. Chaiyapol Sukhiem, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, headed the lay participants. They were joined by Mr. Theeriyuth Samrarnthrup, Deputy Governor of Sukhothai Province, Ms. Thitiya Chaneiam, Sukhothai Cultural Officer, Ms. Thitima Subphak, Director of Religious Support Division, government officials, and the general public.

The Department of Religious Affairs successfully implemented this merit-making program in fiscal year 2568, with approximately 58,000 Buddhist participants joining nationwide. The initiative received strong support from Buddhist tourists who brought their families to temples for merit-making and supported community products at various checkpoints. This effort has revitalized local traditions, regional costumes, and cuisine in each province, creating a cultural tourism asset that generates income for communities, homestays, and hotels, while fostering local wisdom and cultural capital.

The program stimulates economic circulation within communities, creating income through food, clothing, souvenirs, homestays, hotels, and tourism routes. It also promotes local expertise and encourages Buddhist devotees to make merit offerings, observe precepts, and practice meditation beyond just the merit practice days.

Activities at Wat Traphang Thong included paying respects to "Luang Pho Khao" Buddha image in the ubosot, gilding Buddha footprints from the Sukhothai period (1092 B.E.), planting trees for National Tree Day, participating in temple merit practice, visiting local virtue products market, learning centers for creating fish traps, and wood carving demonstrations in Sukhothai Nakhon 3 community.

The "Bridge of Merit Alms Offering at Sukhothai's Dawn" at Wat Traphang Thong is a long-standing tradition where the temple provides space and baskets for devotees to leave offerings each morning. Monks process gracefully across the bridge to receive alms in a practice reflecting the cultural and religious traditions dating back to Sukhothai's reign as capital. Today, it attracts tourists seeking to make merit and receive blessings, aligning with Sukhothai's meaning: "the dawn of happiness."

Near Wat Traphang Thong, a fresh market operates selling local snacks, savory and sweet dishes, flower garlands for worship, traditional clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs for both devotees and tourists.

This article provides comprehensive descriptions of four rare Buddhist amulet coins from northeastern Thailand monks. Luang Pu Joom's Dhammachediya coin from 1961 features a leaf-like shape with copper patina and depicts a stupa image. Luang Pu Saeng's first-edition coin from 1994 is shaped like a Bodhi leaf and has become extremely rare, featuring the monk's image and temple information from Amnat Charoen. Luang Pu Thongom's inaugural "Prosperity and Success" coin from 2018 showcases an egg-shaped design with connected ears and detailed inscriptions from Nakhon Phanom. The article concludes with Phra Mettaviharii's popular half-figurine coin from 1959, created in both copper with silver plating and later in gold plating, totaling 5,000 pieces blessed over three months. Each coin features intricate designs, precise inscriptions, and religious symbolism reflecting the monks' teachings and their respective temples.