A Thai court on Monday acquitted activist Tantawan Tuatulanon, known as Tawan, and six co-defendants of charges under Article 112, Thailand's royal defamation law, and Article 116, the sedition law, over a public opinion poll asking whether royal motorcades caused inconvenience.

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said the South Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that the poll, conducted at a shopping mall on 8 February 2022, merely posed the question, "Do you think royal motorcades cause inconvenience?" The court found that the wording did not refer to any specific individual or mention any member of the royal family by name, and therefore did not meet the legal elements required for an offense under Article 112, which criminalizes defaming, insulting or threatening the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent.

The seven defendants had also faced charges under Article 116, which prohibits acts deemed to incite unrest or public disorder, as well as offenses including insulting officials, obstructing officials in the performance of their duties and failing to comply with official orders.

In its ruling, the court said the defendants did not deliver speeches that defamed, insulted or threatened the King. It added that the symbolic three-finger salute by the first and second defendants constituted an expression of individual rights and freedoms, which others may agree or disagree with.

The court also found no evidence that the defendants' actions caused unrest, threatened national security or encouraged people to break the law, and therefore dismissed the charge under Article 116 as well.

On July 6, 2569, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced that Prime Minister Anuthon Chanyaweerakhul and the Interior Minister have ordered a thorough and careful investigation into fraud allegations surrounding the local government employee examination. The investigation must uphold transparency principles, be verifiable at every stage, and produce results that can be clearly explained to the public.

Prime Minister's Order 263/2569 establishes a fact-finding and legal review committee to investigate alleged misconduct in the 2568 local government and civil servant recruitment examination. The committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapart with the Justice Minister as vice chair, has full authority to examine all aspects of the evidence and must submit a comprehensive report to the Prime Minister within 30 days of July 6, 2569, with progress updates every 10 days.

Ratchada stressed that the government demands strict, clear, and transparent procedures at all stages capable of fully addressing public concerns. The investigation is viewed as an important lesson for strengthening preventive measures and oversight mechanisms, while helping restore public confidence in the civil service system.

Tuesday, July 7, 2569 marks the 121st death anniversary of Phra Kru Si Chalangka Sangvorn, known as Luang Pu Ruem Pramo, the former abbot of Wat Chuk Ka Choe in Si Racha district, Chachoengsao province. A distinguished Buddhist scholar and teacher from Chachoengsao, he was a fellow student with Luang Pu Tim of Wat La Rai in Rayong province.

Born into the Chiangeak family on July 7, 2448 at house number 26 in Si Racha district, he was one of eleven siblings. Devoted to Buddhism from his youth, he was ordained at age twenty at Wat Laem Chabang, with Phra Kru Sunthondham Rot of Wat Ang Sila as his preceptor, assisted by Phra Ajarn Chue and Phra Ajarn Lumuan.

He spent the Buddhist Lent studying scriptures at Wat Chuk Ka Choe under Luang Pu Than, the abbot at that time. Soon after, he gained widespread respect and admiration for his exemplary conduct. When Luang Pu Than passed away during his sixth monastic year, he was appointed to succeed him as abbot. He was then promoted to district ecclesiastical leader, recognized for his knowledge and administrative abilities. He subsequently received appointments as preceptor and district chief monk of Si Racha.

He later received royal recognition with the ecclesiastical title Phra Kru Chao Khana Amphoe Si Racha, First Class, given the honorific name "Phra Kru Si Chalangka Sangvorn."

Administrative service: 2479 became abbot of Wat Chuk Ka Choe; 2484 became Phra Kammavaja Charn; 2485 became preceptor; 2487 became village ecclesiastical leader of Bang and Nong Kham; 2518 served as acting district chief monk of Si Racha; 2519 became district chief monk of Si Racha; 2530 resigned as abbot to become abbot of Wat Chutathit Thammesabha Ram Voraviharn at Ko Si Chang branch.

Ecclesiastical ranks: 2481 achieved Phra Kru Fourth Class; 2493 Phra Kru village chief Third Class; 2507 Phra Kru village chief Second Class; 2515 Phra Kru village chief First Class; 2520 Phra Kru district chief First Class.

He had a passion for esoteric knowledge from his lay days, traveling to renowned teachers throughout Thailand. His first teacher was Luang Pu Am, former abbot of Wat Nong Krabork in Ban Kai, Rayong, famous for goat amulet formulas. From him he learned the rain-seeking and seven-moon beeswax spells. He also studied tablet-making with Luang Pu I of Wat Sattahip, tiger forehead tattooing with Luang Pu Sai of Wat Nong Kaet Noi in Chachoengsao, and twelve-zodiac powder making from Luang Pu Tian of Wat Bo in Pathum Thani, among other studies with various masters including Luang Pu Ong of Wat Nong Ri and Luang Pu Phui of Wat Na Phra That.

His most significant teacher was Somdej Phra Ariyanamsa, the Supreme Patriarch, from whom he studied astrological divination, vipassana meditation techniques, and numerology until achieving mastery. He could read astrological charts, change destinies, and realign cosmic fortunes.

Beyond Buddhist knowledge, he was also skilled in traditional medicine. He created and consecrated multiple amulets of considerable spiritual and financial value. Late in life, he focused on vipassana meditation practice until his death on July 19, 2538, at age ninety with seventy monastic years.

On Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM, His Majesty graciously appointed General Chaklemsakul to represent him at a royal merit-making ceremony dedicated to Princess Patcharakitiyabha at Wat Rajabophit Sathit Maha Simaram. Upon arrival, General Chaklemsakul presented flowers and made offerings of incense and candles at the monument of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn. He then proceeded to the ordination hall, where he lit incense and candles in reverence before the Buddha image and made additional offerings honoring past kings and members of the royal family, including Queen Sirikit and Princess Patcharakitiyabha.

The Supreme Patriarch subsequently led the ceremony, lighting candles at the stupa containing the names of twenty royal monks and conducting religious chanting. After the monks completed their recitations, General Chaklemsakul presented lustral water and ritual items graciously provided by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen as gifts to the Supreme Patriarch in celebration of his 99th birthday. The monks chanted auspicious verses, and additional Buddhist chants honoring his 99 years were performed. General Chaklemsakul then presented royal gifts to the monks, who offered their blessings. The Supreme Patriarch presented commemorative items before General Chaklemsakul's departure.

Trang — Major shrimp farmer Suchart Kongwatnanont has inspected his 22 shrimp ponds in Susoe Subdistrict, Pla Phraya District, Trang Province, ranging from 3-7 rai each. Over the past 2-3 months, he has progressively closed 21 ponds after harvesting and left all equipment abandoned and rusting. His final pond of 3 rai, harvested today, yielded shrimp at only 150 per kilogram—undersized stock raised for just 70 days—which he sold at 87 baht per kilogram for approximately 8-9 tons total. Even at this price, he faces losses exceeding 100,000 baht on this pond alone.

Continuing to raise the shrimp for another two months to reach market-preferred size (45-50 per kilogram) would only deepen losses, as current prices for larger shrimp stand at just 130-140 baht per kilogram. Suchart stated that all 22 consecutive batches have resulted in losses totaling over one million baht—unprecedented in his 20-year career. He previously sold only larger sizes (30-50 per kilogram) and has never harvested at this small size before.

While halting production, Suchart must continue supporting 10 worker families at roughly 10,000 baht per family monthly. "Farmers are too afraid to stock new shrimp now," he explained. "We're waiting to see what clear action the government will take." He criticized a proposed 20-baht-per-kilogram subsidy as inadequate, arguing the state should instead reduce core production costs—feed, chemicals, energy—which account for 18-20 baht per kilogram in losses. Without urgent government intervention, he warned, all farmers will collapse as capital dries up.

Doctor Frang (Frang Nareekul) has shared her first egg freezing experience at age 28, successfully retrieving 21 eggs. Working with reproductive medicine specialist Dr. Praew Punpaisai at Genesis Fertility Center, she posted a detailed account on social media covering every step of the procedure in a warm, accessible way.

Frang explained her decision by saying, "I've always thought that one day I'd want to have children, but I didn't know when. Although life doesn't have to be rushed, our biological clock doesn't wait. Egg quality declines with age." She recounted her first ultrasound with humor, revealing she was slightly surprised when the doctor mentioned she had fewer eggs than expected—only about 10. Though the doctor joked it might be from living too stressfully, hormone tests came back normal, putting her at ease. She proceeded with egg-stimulating injections until the eggs were ready for retrieval.

On retrieval day, Frang shared her nervousness about undergoing anesthesia for the first time, but everything went smoothly. She concluded cheerfully: "All done. I retrieved 21 eggs. I'm relieved and can get back to work." Beyond sharing educational insights, Frang ended with an endearing caption: "I've entrusted my eggs. Can I also entrust you with my heart?" Her post drew an outpouring of supportive comments and praise for her relatability and for providing valuable information for modern women considering family planning.