May 1, 2025 — Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has issued an urgent order for relevant agencies to investigate conditions in Phetchaburi Province and gather public opinion regarding opposition to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Siam Gulf Petrochemical's condensate and crude oil conversion plant project and its power and steam generation unit project. This action follows a complaint filed by Phetchaburi Provincial MP Thiwalrat Angkinanth.

The ministry has assigned Deputy Permanent Secretary Nipont Jamrongsirisak as oversight coordinator and instructed the Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning Office (ONEP) to expedite transparent and comprehensive public hearings, with ONEP Secretary-General Bannarak Serimthong personally attending the consultations.

The public hearing drew over 700 participants, including government agencies, local representatives, and community residents. Three main concerns emerged:

1. Lack of transparency in previous public hearings 2. Impacts from the existing oil refinery that received EIA approval in 2004 3. Environmental, health, and livelihood concerns, given the area's importance for tourism and agriculture

ONEP's secretary-general has ordered officials to conduct a thorough environmental impact inspection on May 8, 2025, covering the petrochemical project, mooring buoys, subsea oil pipelines, and storage facilities operated by Asia Link Terminal.

Minister Suchat emphasized that public participation is central to the ministry's approach and that all EIA procedures must be transparent, verifiable, and prioritize environmental and community well-being impacts. The goal is to balance economic development with sustainable natural resource conservation.

On May 1, 2025, at the Crime Suppression Division's complaint center, lawyer On from Buriram brought Sai Cheeya Wongwirot, the actor known from the "Broke, Stressed, Drinking" advertisement with credits in several Hollywood film collaborations, to file a formal report and clarify his involvement with Siamchai White Sand Beach in Samut Prakan. Sai Cheeya explained that ten years ago, a businessman recruited him for a real estate land-division project in Nakhon Pathom province, offering a 15,000 baht monthly salary and a vehicle registered under the businessman's name while Sai Cheeya made the installment payments. When the business struggled, the idea emerged for Sai Cheeya to appear as the owner. He promoted the beach extensively, organizing events and birthday celebrations, and the venture became successful, attracting many visitors. He later requested a salary increase from 15,000 to 35,000 baht, which was approved, but received no annual dividends. His salary went entirely toward living expenses, car payments, fuel, and gifts for weddings and funerals under the beach's name. Depleted financially, his car was repossessed and he fell into debt. With diminishing entertainment work, he withdrew from the project and filed the police report to clarify he is no longer associated with White Sand Beach. After meeting with Crime Suppression Division investigators, it was discovered that Sai Cheeya's name appears on the land title documents for several plots alongside three to four other individuals, preventing the filing of a formal report at that time. He was advised to consult with his legal team before proceeding further.

Deputy Transport Minister Sapphet Bunyamani unveiled a six-pronged policy initiative at the Port Authority to advance the nation's water transportation sector in line with government objectives. The minister emphasized that developing maritime transport infrastructure is crucial for driving the country's economy while improving public welfare and environmental sustainability. The six strategic areas include: (1) boosting economic growth by accelerating infrastructure development such as dredging key waterways including Samut Sakhon, Ban Don, Pattani, Songkhla, and Bang Pakong channels, and developing Don Sak Port to connect with the Land Bridge project; (2) generating tourism revenue by developing cruise ports across the Thai Gulf and Andaman coast, particularly in Phuket and Phang Nga Bay, with enhanced safety standards through systematic Port Control systems; (3) improving quality of life for water transport users by developing Smart Piers along the Chao Phraya River by 2027, incorporating modern technologies like vessel tracking systems and AI-based port management; (4) addressing public hardships from flooding, water source restoration, and coastal erosion through comprehensive short and long-term solutions, with coastal restoration targets set for completion by 2032; (5) promoting environmentally-friendly water transport by transitioning to clean energy, reducing PM 2.5 and greenhouse gas emissions, and developing Green Ports; and (6) protecting Thailand's maritime commerce interests by enhancing standards and competitiveness through collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), developing maritime personnel, establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, and ensuring international waterway standards. To accelerate implementation, the ministry has established "Quick Win" guidelines for priority projects.

Ang Thong province has long suffered from seasonal flooding during the rainy season. Traditionally, locals earned their living through brick-making and incense stick carving, but rainy season floods prevented them from burning bricks or drying incense, causing significant economic hardship.

In 1976, Queen Sirikit visited Bang Sadet subdistrict and conceived of an alternative occupation. Recognizing that residents possessed abundant clay resources and noting that traditional Thai 'wang dolls' (royal dolls) had nearly vanished, she saw an opportunity to both create income and preserve ancient Thai handicraft traditions. She graciously sent instructors from the Vocational College to teach royal doll crafting.

The initial training program enrolled 150 participants for a three-month course, culminating in a teacher-blessing ceremony presided over by Princess Sujinda Siribodindra. The "Bang Sadet Royal Doll Center" was established within the grounds of Wat Tha Suddha Vas temple along the Chao Phraya River in a two-story traditional Thai building called "Khum Suvarnnabhumi."

Today, the Bang Sadet clay doll tradition serves multiple purposes: it provides sustainable livelihoods, preserves Thai cultural heritage, keeps artisans in their communities, and has achieved international export success. Importantly, residents have developed the "Moo lineage dolls" – clay handicrafts blending auspicious beliefs through representations of Thai-dressed women, literary figures, and sacred deities like Ganesha, characterized by refined craftsmanship and graceful seated postures that reflect Thai cultural values.

These dolls, crafted from high-quality clay filtered from local fields, are suitable for worship or as precious souvenirs. Artisan Ruj Wijitkranurak explained that orders arrive in cycles, with sculptors creating various forms reflecting traditional Thai life, cultural practices, and customs as requested by patrons who follow the Moo tradition. What began as small figurines has evolved into custom orders of sacred figures, Ganesha representations, and elaborately dressed Thai women inspired by classical literature.

The book 'What is Work? Why Do We Do It?' by Buddhist monk Buddhadasa, published by Sukhapap Mind Publishing House at 95 baht, challenges how we typically understand work as merely a profession or livelihood. The author deconstructs this understanding layer by layer, returning us to the most fundamental meaning: work is 'that which sustains life'—encompassing eating, rest, self-care, and learning. The book then expands this definition beyond mere survival to living better, and deeper still to working for others and society. At this level, work becomes part of an interconnected system we all depend on. Finally, the author reveals the deepest truth: 'work is spiritual practice.' Whether your job is big or small, paid or unpaid, every action can train the mind. Work isn't just about producing external results; it's about self-observation, developing mindfulness, and practicing rightness in each moment. Even what most consider 'rest' is part of work, maintaining life's balance. Ultimately, this book doesn't try to make you love work, but shows you that we never stop working—not even for a second. The real question is whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. When work is understood correctly, what changes isn't the work itself, but the worker's experience: exhaustion becomes understanding, resistance becomes rightness, and burden becomes the path to happiness. The book offers not career advice, but something more valuable: a perspective that can transform your entire life.

On Saturday, May 2, 2569, a memorial service commemorated 12 years since the passing of Khruba Boontha Yatikro, former abbot of Wat Chedi Sam Yod in Pa Sang District, Lamphun Province, a venerable Buddhist master of northern Thailand.

Born on June 22, 2475, in Nong Gerd village, Pa Sang District, Lamphun Province, he completed fourth grade education in his village school at age 11. His family then entrusted him to study under Khruba Sao of Wat Nong Gerd, an important spiritual teacher of Pa Sang District at that time. Khruba Sao taught him to read and write the Lanna script, practice chanting, and deliver dharma teachings until he became proficient and fluent.

At age 15, he entered the novice monastery, studied under Khruba Sao, and received instruction in meditation practice. At age 22, he received higher ordination and moved with Khruba Sao to oversee Wat Tha Tum. He spent the rainy season there studying with his preceptor and other monks, after which he traveled as a wandering monk throughout northern Thailand.

Four years later, he was invited to serve as abbot of Wat Hua Khwang, where he remained for more than ten years. Eventually desiring solitude, he resigned from the abbacy and traveled to Chiang Dao District to practice meditation alone in the forest.

Upon learning of Khruba Sao's death, he returned to pay respects. After the funeral, Khruba Som, the abbot of Wat Chedi Sam Yod and his senior fellow disciple, invited Khruba Boontha to stay for the rainy season to assist with temple development work.

When Khruba Som eventually passed away, Khruba Boontha, having earned the faith and reverence of the local community through his virtuous conduct and dedicated practice, was appointed as abbot of Wat Chedi Sam Yod, a position he maintained until his passing.

He was a monk of calm temperament, thoughtful demeanor, who carefully considered every word before speaking, maintained constant mindfulness, and showed compassion to all disciples. Simultaneously, he was firm and resolute in his monastic discipline, never failing in his daily chanting and meditation practice. He preferred solitude and rarely accepted social invitations.

When others attempted to document his biography, he spoke little and remarked that "I have no interesting stories—what would you do with them?" making it difficult to compile detailed accounts of his life.

He was a Buddhist preceptor who strictly adhered to the dharma and vinaya, studying Buddhist doctrine and various teachings according to the Buddha's way and the traditions of northern Thai masters. He was considered a venerable monk worthy of deep respect and faith.

Regarding amulets and sacred objects, he never formally commissioned any. Instead, those who created such objects would seek his blessing and consecration. Buddhist consecration ceremonies for amulets and sacred objects throughout northern Thailand regularly required his presence and blessings. Remarkably, he never created his own sacred objects.

During consecration ceremonies, he would hold amulets in his hand and rotate them in all directions throughout the ritual, surprising those who served him closely. Even before completing the full consecration chant, merely from his brief breathing patterns, those present would become confident in the efficacy of the blessed objects.

After concluding the brief ceremony, he would explain to his disciples: "To receive the power of Buddha's grace, Brahma's grace, and the devas' grace, as well as the merit of the bodhisattvas from the venerable teachers invited to participate in this ceremony, who surround this temple in all directions."

As a monk of exemplary conduct, when invited to perform ceremonies, he would apply himself with complete physical and mental dedication, focusing his consciousness and unwavering spiritual power to ensure the successful completion of the work.