A tragic drowning claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy at Thung Wua Len Beach in Chumphon on May 3rd at 1:00 PM. The boy had been traveling with his 38-year-old father from Saraburi on a motorcycle during school break. Police lieutenant Saiyan Tumrawat of Pathio Station received the report and coordinated with multiple rescue units including Chumphon Udomsak Hospital rescue team, Chumphon Charity Foundation rescue unit, and Sapli Subdistrict rescue team. Many tourists gathered at the scene in shock as rescue personnel deployed equipment to search the sea. Within approximately 20 minutes, rescuers discovered the unconscious boy at the bottom of the 2-3 meter deep ocean and immediately brought him to shore to perform CPR. Though his pulse briefly returned, he remained unconscious and was rushed to Chumphon Udomsak Hospital. Despite doctors and rescue workers' full efforts to save him, the boy died shortly after. The grieving father, 38, explained that they had arrived in Chumphon two days earlier to visit relatives and explore the beaches. At Thung Wua Len Beach, he had called his son back to shore, but the boy requested to continue playing and assured him not to worry. Minutes later, the father lost sight of his son and immediately called for help. Rescue volunteer Weerathep Yaemnoy, one of the responders, noted that the beach area had strong currents that seemed to pull bodies underwater, with depths reaching 2-3 meters. Several rescuers who went to help also became weak and nearly lost their own lives. He warned that while the sea may appear calm, certain areas have deep channels, strong currents, and dangerous undertows, advising swimmers to stay in safe designated areas and never take their eyes off children.

On May 3, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast for upper Thailand, predicting hot afternoons with severe heat in parts of the northern and central regions. Thunderstorms and strong wind gusts are expected in some areas due to a heat-induced low-pressure system covering upper Thailand, combined with southwest and southeast winds bringing moisture. The public is advised to take health precautions by avoiding prolonged outdoor activities and remaining alert to dangers from thunderstorms and strong winds.

The southern region will experience scattered thunderstorms from easterly and southeast winds affecting the Gulf of Thailand, southern region, and Andaman Sea. Between May 6-8, rainfall will increase across the south with heavy rain in some areas caused by an easterly wind wave affecting the lower southern region. Residents are warned to prepare for potential flooding. Sea conditions in the Gulf and Andaman Sea show waves around 1 meter high, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Fishermen should exercise extra caution and avoid thunderstorm zones.

Air quality in upper Thailand remains good to moderate due to rainfall in scattered areas.

Detailed Regional Forecast (Today 6 PM to Tomorrow 6 PM):

Northern Region: Hot afternoons with severe heat in some areas. Thunderstorms in 10% of the region with strong wind gusts, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Tak, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 23-26°C, High 35-40°C. Southwest winds 5-15 km/h.

Northeastern Region: Hot afternoons with thunderstorms in 20% of the region and strong gusts, mainly in Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low 23-26°C, High 36-38°C. Southeast winds 10-15 km/h.

Central Region: Hot afternoons with severe heat in some areas. Thunderstorms in 10% of the region with strong gusts, mainly in Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Saraburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom. Low 24-27°C, High 37-40°C. Southern winds 10-15 km/h.

Eastern Region: Hot afternoons with thunderstorms in 30% of the region and strong gusts, mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 25-29°C, High 34-38°C. Southern winds 15-30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): Hot afternoons with thunderstorms in 20% of the region, mainly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Low 24-27°C, High 34-38°C. Southeast winds 15-30 km/h.

In the case of the assassination of Kamlasak Liwamauea, a Narathiwat MP representing District 5 of the Palang Pracharath Party, a meeting of the investigation task force was held on April 27, 2569 at 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Thai Police Region 9 headquarters in Narathiwat. Deputy Commander Tharesha Kaewlalead chaired the meeting, with senior officers including Prayong Kotsakha, the Narathiwat provincial police commander, and approximately 30 investigators from Region 9 in attendance.

However, questions arose regarding an apparent irregularity at the meeting—namely, why Region 9 Commander Piyawat Chelamosri and the national investigation task force unit failed to personally oversee a case of such severity as the assassination of a parliamentary representative. This oversight prompted criticism about the direction of the investigation.

On May 3, 2569, Chumpon Saksureemongkol, head of the national investigation task force unit, addressed these concerns by explaining that the Region 9 commander's absence was due to his not being formally listed as a member of the investigation committee.

"The commander was not part of the committee. Yesterday there were two meetings held—I attended the morning session myself, but I did not attend the afternoon session where these questions were raised," Chumpon stated.

Office officials also confirmed the organizational structure of the case, noting that Region 9 police had deployed a "Boh Choh" (command level) officer to oversee operations for greater procedural rigor. A new task force was formed with Tharesha as head and Chumpon as deputy head, along with investigators and the Narathiwat provincial police commander. Deploying command-level officers to supervise investigations at the provincial level is considered standard procedure for high-profile cases to ensure evidence gathering is thorough and case procedures are credible.

"A mind free from sin sees the consequences of wrongdoing, so why would one commit physical or verbal misdeeds?" - A dharma teaching from Luang Pho Cha Suphattho of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani province.

Luang Pho Noom Thammarama of Wat Nang Nai Thammigarama in Ang Thong province is highly revered for his amulets, particularly the first-edition medal from 1954. Known as the "Large Yantra Medal," this oval-shaped amulet with handles was produced in 5,000 pieces. The front features a half-body image facing forward, surrounded by small fish-egg borders, with "Reverend Upachaya (Noom)" inscribed above. The back features a yantra design without borders. After Luang Pho Noom consecrated the medals through a complete quarterly blessing ceremony, they received overwhelming interest, requiring two additional productions—creating the distinctions of Large, Medium, and Small Yantra versions. Today, the Large Yantra Medal is quite rare.

Phra Kru Vornathrongsi, or Luang Pho Pui Punnyasiri, former abbot of Wat Ko in Suphanburi province, created the "Wok-Bottom Medal," a special edition commemmorating the construction of the Sala Kalyani (Dharma Hall) at Wat Ko in 1979. Made of copper, this medal features a bowl-like design with the monk's image on the front and "85" on the back—believed by locals to represent his age at the time. The reverse is inscribed with "Special Building Edition" and identifies the creator and temple. This medal has become another highly popular amulet.

Phra Kru Wetchakamkanaraksa, or Luang Pho Taab Attakamo of Wat Makham Riang in Sara Buri province, created the first-edition image medal in 1972. This full-bodied seated meditation image amulet with handles was produced in 6,000 pieces from alpaca metal. The front features a scales-pattern border with the seated Luang Pho Taab in full form, inscribed with his name below. The back displays his personal yantra with the temple name underneath. All pieces are meticulously crafted and spiritually empowered.

Phra Kru Visut Bundittho, or Pho Tan Nuan Parisuttho, former abbot of Wat Praditsaram (Wat Sai Rai) in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, is a highly revered southern Thai master whose amulets of all editions are popular and spiritually potent. Particularly sought-after is the first-edition image medal from 1982, created to commemorate his 60th birthday blessing on July 13, 1982, offered by Phra Kru Adul Thammapaon (Luang Pho Phudung), abbot of Wat Phu Khao Lak and a relative. This oval-shaped medal with connecting handles features a full meditation image on the front and a yantra on the back. The border inscription reads "Merit Completion 5 Cycles, Phra Kru Visut Bundittho, Wat Praditsaram 15.7.25" and was cast in copper with aged patina. The first production created 4,000 pieces, later supplemented with an additional 4,000. These medals are now quite rare.

This summer, Bangkok residents and nearby province dwellers don't need to venture far—bring your family to escape the heat at an "orchid supermarket" that transforms holidays into joyful celebrations amid blooming flowers throughout the garden.

"Snapshot" is the motto of Panthaphat Kumvichian, known as Bob, owner of Air Orchids Supermarket & Lab. He explains that they pioneered and launched Thailand's first orchid supermarket. The specialty of this shopping destination is the supermarket-style orchid retail format, where customers can push shopping carts to select orchids. During the COVID-19 period, they were heavily impacted but never stopped—they pressed forward with their vision for the future. It's no wonder that every return visit reveals new changes at their 200-rai farm, which offers numerous hybrid orchid varieties.

Currently, they've developed new hybrid orchids of the Ascocenda genus featuring purple-red petals with white edges, white streaks on both sides, and white-tipped lips. They also cultivate variegated-leaf orchids with white-edged leaves, which are gaining popularity. They continuously seek innovations through new breeding techniques and methods to keep the orchid world dynamic.

Many orchid buyers initially purchase beautiful specimens, but after a short time the orchids wither without flowering. Investigation revealed that most growers don't water daily, neglect fertilizing, and skip hormone treatments to encourage blooming—the primary causes of wilting and non-flowering orchids.

Most orchid growers are unaware that orchids are air-root plants requiring daily watering morning and evening, especially when suspended in pots. They also need specialized orchid fertilizer and hormone treatments at least twice monthly.

This challenge led them to develop a solution: placing orchids in pots with continuous water supply using standard plant irrigation equipment. The pots can include hydroponic nutrients or supplements—for example, adding energy drinks like Red Bull weekly—to provide essential nutrients.

They've also experimented with adding colored food dyes to water for aesthetic appeal and feng shui benefits based on birth dates. This continuous moisture method results in longer-lasting blooms compared to regular watering. Tests with Cattleya orchids showed blooms lasting up to 20 days, while Ascocenda varieties achieved 30-45 days of flowering.

After orchid blooms fade, placing pots in direct sunlight produces faster reblooming than typical indoor placement. Though this experiment requires more seasonal testing for conclusive results, they discovered that using coconut coir as a wick connecting water reservoirs to pots prevents wilting and eliminates daily watering—requiring only monthly water refills.

These innovative pots come in various sizes and designs available in markets, but must be selected carefully to match orchid type and usage rate. Too little water may delay or prevent blooming; too much can overdose plants and cause death.

Every visit here reveals something new.

Confident in the power of young people, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) continues the PTTEP Teenergy program for its 10th year under the concept "Ocean for Life," aiming to raise awareness among Thai youth about natural resource and environmental conservation through an innovation competition focused on marine resource protection.

Over two days and one night, 15 teams comprising more than 50 young people selected from 190 teams nationwide participated in comprehensive learning and skill development activities covering technology, the environment, climate change adaptation, public speaking, idea presentation, and business model design.

The participants also gained hands-on experience visiting PTTEP's Research and Technology Innovation Center in Rayong province, where PTTEP staff shared insights into research development, technology, and innovation from initial conceptualization to real-world application. They also visited the Royal Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Chachoengsao to learn firsthand about sea turtle care and conservation.

Ice (Nattanun Sayvisedh), a fourth-year student at Prince of Songkla University's Surat Thani campus, expressed great enthusiasm for the program, particularly the project presentation training that enhanced public speaking skills. She noted that the turtle pond cleaning activity was a meaningful experience that developed both life skills and environmental awareness simultaneously.

Charoen (Thanchothi Thesakun), a first-year student at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, shared that he gained valuable knowledge about climate change adaptation and business perspectives, developing comprehensive skills in applying environmental and technology knowledge to project development, communicating results, and envisioning future business creation.

Angie (Nichada Aphaipun), a fourth-year student at Chulalongkorn University, highlighted her visit to PTTEP's PTIC center as the most impressive activity, noting that seeing real technology and innovation developed in Thailand gave her renewed confidence in the country's progress and opened her eyes to career opportunities in technology and innovation. She also emphasized the value of learning about marine resource conservation at the Navy's Sea Turtle Center, where volunteering alongside peers deepened her understanding of environmental importance.

The 15 youth teams' marine resource conservation innovation projects will be presented in the finals on June 3 at IconSiam. Follow updates on Facebook at PTTEPCSR.