Robinswood Golf Club, a premier private golf course developed by Reignwood Park, proudly concluded the Robinswood Club Championship 2025, its most prestigious annual tournament. The event not only crowned the new club champion but also provided the winner a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Thailand at the BMW PGA Championship 2025 Pro-Am at the legendary Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.
This year’s championship marked a new chapter in Robinswood’s tradition of excellence, offering members more than just competition. An immersive celebration of prestige, camaraderie, and international opportunity. The tournament winner, Mr. Chaiyatat “Ben” Bunjapamai, successfully defended his title for the second consecutive year. His victory secures him a spot to compete in the Pro-Am at Wentworth Club this September, alongside top professionals and elite members from across the Reignwood Group’s global network.
Ms. Worapanit Ruayrungruang, CEO of Reignwood Group’s International Business Division, shared,
“At Reignwood, we strive to create meaningful experiences under the philosophy of ‘Reignwood Life.’ The Robinswood Club Championship exemplifies this vision, offering a world-class platform for our members to shine, connect, and grow. This year, we are proud to connect our champion with the global golfing stage through our iconic Wentworth Club.”
Mr. Seehachet Saifon, General Manager of Robinswood Golf Club, added,
“The Robinswood Club Championship is more than a competition. It is a proud tradition that reflects the values of our club; honor, unity, and excellence. We are thrilled to send our champion to represent not just Robinswood, but Thailand, at one of the world’s most iconic golf venues. This marks the beginning of a global journey, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
In preparation for Wentworth, the Robinswood champion will undergo personalized training with coaches from the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy Thailand, an elite institution located within the Robinswood estate. The academy combines world-class coaching with cutting-edge technology, ensuring high-performance development for golfers of all levels. ________________________________________
About Robinswood Golf Club
Nestled in the heart of Reignwood Park, Robinswood Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed to deliver a challenging yet harmonious playing experience. Developed under the Reignwood Park master plan, it is Thailand’s first true world-class lifestyle community. With a limited exclusive membership, Robinswood offers access to global Reignwood privileges, elite tournaments, and premium facilities including a 9-hole Par 3 course, a top-tier driving range, and a realistic short game area. The club is also home to the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy Thailand, offering holistic coaching from swing mechanics to golf fitness.
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About Wentworth Club, UK
Located in Surrey, England, Wentworth Club is a world-renowned golf venue with a history spanning over a century. Part of the Reignwood Group portfolio, the club has hosted prestigious events including the BMW PGA Championship, the British PGA Championship, and numerous DP World Tour events.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (center) and Thai and Cambodian representatives, at the Shanghai Hotel formal dinner, meeting with Thai and Cambodian senior officials to discuss ceasefire talks on July 30, 2025. (Photo by Chinese Foreign Ministry)
By HUIZHONG WU and JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed their shaky ceasefire after days of fighting along their border as China stepped in to negotiate with the two countries.
The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight on Monday, but was quickly tested. Thailand’s army accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas early Tuesday, while Cambodia said there was no firing in any location. The Thai army then reported exchanges of gunfire into Wednesday morning but said there was no use of heavy artillery.
“Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith,” said Thailand’s Foreign Ministry in a statement Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, however, both sides appeared to have reaffirmed their commitment to a ceasefire, with representatives appearing smiling in a photo with a Chinese vice minister Sun Weidong at a meeting in Shanghai.
China’s ‘constructive role’
The meeting involved Kung Phaok, a senior official at Cambodia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Jullapong Nonsrichai, executive advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
“Cambodia and Thailand reiterated to China their commitment to the ceasefire consensus and expressed appreciation for China’s positive role in de-escalating the situation,” a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
China said the informal meeting was its “latest diplomatic effort” and it was playing a “constructive role in resolving their border dispute,” according to the same statement.
China’s peacemaking efforts reflects its “serious concerns” about another conflict so close to its borders, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University, citing the ongoing Myanmar civil war.
“The Chinese and U.S. interests align on this, which is very rare,” he said. “China does not want more instability in its backyard. And Trump wants to have another peacemaking win.”
Others say that China’s move to publicize its diplomacy was a response to the U.S. approach.
“Trump’s approach of linking tariff deals to sensitivity sovereignty issues has undeniably been effective, but I doubt this will be good for the U.S in the long run,” said Tita Sanglee, an associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. “China is likely to seize on this contrast to present itself as the more understanding and respectful mediator.”
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet left and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pose for photos after talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Monday, July 28, 2025. (Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP)
Alleged breach of ceasefire
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed on Monday to an “unconditional” halt in fighting, which has killed at least 41 people.
The meeting was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a “vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.”
The ceasefire was brokered with U.S. pressure, as Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington welcomed the ceasefire declaration.
“President (Donald) Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict,” Rubio said in a statement.
But the Thai army said there was an attack Tuesday night in Phu Makhuea, a mountain in a disputed area next to Thaikand’s Sisaket province.
The Thai government separately said it has complained to Malaysia, the U.S. and China about Cambodia’s alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement previously.
Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’s domestic politics.
Thai residents who fled homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Residents face limbo
By Wednesday, there were some signs of calm along the border, with some of the more than 260,000 people displaced by the fighting returning to their homes. Still, many remain behind in evacuation shelters, uncertain of their fate.
Vendor Kanchana Sukjit, 33, said she fled home near the Ta Muen Thom temple with a few belongings and her small white-colored dog Nam Khaeng, which means ice in Thai. The temple had been one of the main flashpoints in the conflict over the past week.
It was the first time she had to flee home like this and she was worried as she waited for clearer instructions about what happens next.
“I’m stressed when I read the news, like when reports said they were going to fire (a long-range rocket), because my home is right next to a military camp. I was quite stressed that day because I was afraid that my home would get caught in a crossfire,” she said.
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Saksornchai reported from Surin, Thailand. Sopheng Cheang in Samrong, Cambodia, and Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Thai residents who fled homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, rest at an evacuation center in Surin province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
By GRANT PECK, JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia have reaffirmed their ceasefire intended to end five days of armed combat along their border after the accord got off to a shaky start.
The agreement to stop fighting was reached Monday when Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet arranged an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire that took effect at midnight that same day.
It was some of the worst modern fighting between the two countries, which have clashed before over a longstanding territorial dispute. It left at least 41 soldiers and civilians dead on both sides, with 260,000 people displaced.
Trump credited with bringing together warring leaders
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, this year’s chair of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations, pressed for a ceasefire early but there was little headway until U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with economic pressure.
In a social media post Saturday, Trump said he spoke to the Thai and Cambodian leaders and warned the U.S. would not move forward with trade agreements if the hostilities continued.
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Both countries face economic difficulties and neither had reached tariff deals with the U.S., though most of their Southeast Asian neighbors have done so.
Ken Lohatepanont, a political analyst and University of Michigan doctoral candidate, said Thailand has been “racing to negotiate” with the U.S. for a favorable tariff rate to help its underperforming, export-oriented economy.
“President Trump’s decision to condition a successful conclusion to these talks on a ceasefire likely played a significant role in ensuring that both sides came to the negotiating table when they did,” Lohatepanont said in an email.
Casey Barnett, president of American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said Trump’s intervention was appreciated as Cambodia faced economic and military disadvantages.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, left and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, right shake hands as Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gestures after talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Monday, July 28, 2025. (Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP)
A land mine blast triggered fighting
Tensions had simmered since May when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead by Thai troops in another contested border area. The growing dispute was marked by border crossing restrictions and cross-border boycotts and bans of goods and services.
A July 23 land mine explosion in one of the disputed areas injured five Thai soldiers, including one who lost a leg. It was the second such incident in a week and the proximate cause of the armed conflict.
The immediate blowback was diplomatic, with Thailand withdrawing its ambassador from Cambodia, expelling Cambodia’s envoy and shutting border crossings.
Skirmishes and artillery duels broke out in several areas, with infantry fighting mostly in disputed areas. Both countries employed artillery and Cambodia made frequent use of truck-mounted rockets. Thailand retaliated with airstrikes carried ot by U.S.-made F-16 and Swedish Grippen jet fighters.
In this photo released by the Royal Thai Army, Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Ubon Ratchathani province, where the Royal Thai Army said two anti-personnel landmines were found. (Royal Thai Army via AP)
Thailand and Cambodia are old enemies
Thailand and Cambodia have a history of enmity over centuries and experience periodic tensions along their land border of more than 800 kilometers (500 miles).
Their competing territorial claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn when Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand has argued is inaccurate.
The International Court of Justice in 1962 awarded sovereignty to Cambodia over an area that included the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which still riles many Thais.
A mob burned down the Thai Embassy in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh in 2003 after a rumor spread that a Thai actress had claimed Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat temple belonged to Thailand.
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), delegation of the military attaches and diplomats from 13 countries, including the United States and China, visit a damaged Buddhist pagoda in An Ses, a Cambodia–Thailand borders check point in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as observed the implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement. (AKP via AP)
Cambodia went back to the International Court of Justice in 2011 following several clashes between its army and Thai forces over Preah Vihear temple that killed about 20 people and displaced thousands. The court reaffirmed its ruling in 2013, generating more Thai resentment.
Cambodia in June proposed returning to the international court to sort out the border in the disputed areas. Thailand firmly rejected the proposal.
Underlying problems remain
The recent ceasefire did not deal with the underlying disputes and made only a sketchy mention of arranging truce monitors.
Paul Chambers, an American scholar on Thailand’s military who recently fled the country after legal threats from the army, said the ceasefire represents a positive sign.
“However, it is not sustainable unless credible and third-party representatives, such as those from ASEAN, are allowed to monitor facts on the ground,” he said. “If a ceasefire holds, each government can claim ‘success’ and can possibly entrench their hold on power, undergirded by nationalistic support that is drummed up by each state.”
Cambodian men talk inside a damaged gas station in Phrong village, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after a ceasefire to end deadly border clashes was reached between Thailand and Cambodia. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Thailand’s leader blundered under pressure
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made a misguided effort to patch things up in June by making a call to Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, calling him “uncle” and criticizing Thai military leadership.
Hun Sen served for 38 years as Cambodia’s prime minister before handing over the job in 2023 to his eldest son Hun Manet.
Hun Sen leaked the phone call with Paetongtarn, who was suspended from her duties for alleged ethical violations. Her remarks were framed as disrespectful to national sovereignty while critics recalled the much-publicized friendship between Hun Sen and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has since disavowed the relationship.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister from office pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party has been left with just a thin majority in Parliament after the major partner in the ruling coalition dropped out.
The events increased the Thai army’s political influence at the elected government’s expense, Chambers said.
“One thing is for sure in Thailand: the military, following this crisis, has enhanced its authority over civilians,” he said.
Puangthong Pawakapan, a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, said it will likely make long-awaited reforms to curb the army’s political power even more difficult.
“The military has emerged as the winner, being hailed as heroes, while the Pheu Thai government is losing,” she said.
In Cambodia, she said, “I don’t think the power of the Hun family will be shaken at all.”
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Peck reported from Bangkok, Jintamas Saksornchai from Surin, Thailand, and Sopheng Cheang from Samrong, Cambodia. Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok and Anton L. Delgado in Samrong contributed.
Screenshots from witness video showing the moment a lifeguard apprehends the bracelet snatcher who targeted a foreign female jogger at Patong Beach, Phuket, before returning the stolen item to the tourist on July 30, 2025.
PHUKET — A lifeguard, sanitation worker, and locals worked together to capture a Thai transgender woman who snatched a bracelet from a foreign female tourist exercising along Patong Beach Road on Wednesday morning.
While waiting for Patong Police to arrive, the lifeguard returned the stolen bracelet to the victim, who thanked everyone for their help and showed injuries to her elbow from being knocked down during the incident.
The incident occurred on July 30 in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket province, and was captured on video and shared by Newshawk Phuket. When the victim asked why the perpetrator targeted her, the suspect appeared evasive and claimed she goes jogging every morning herself.
The video drew numerous comments, including from people identifying the suspect as the same person who previously snatched a mobile phone from a foreign male jogger.
Police later took custody of the suspect, identified as Mr. Naphasinee from Nakhon Si Thammarat province, at Patong Police Station on theft charges. They also presented a reward to the lifeguard who apprehended the suspect and praised the community cooperation in assisting law enforcement.
Patong Police officers in Phuket officially photograph the arrest of the suspect in the tourist bracelet snatching case on July 30, 2025.
This shows an empty beach in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025 after beachgoers evacuated as a powerful earthquake in Russia's Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)
TOKYO (AP) — A tsunami hit coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan after a powerful, 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia early Wednesday. Warnings are also in place for Alaska, Hawaii and other coasts south toward New Zealand.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying that bigger waves could come later.
Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake’s epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
A tsunami height of 3-4 meters (10 to 13 feet) was recorded in Kamchatka, 60 centimeters (2 feet) on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, and up to 1.4 feet (under 30 centimeters) above tide levels were observed in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
People take shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa town, Hokkaido, northern Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)
Russian regions report limited damage
The quake at 8:25 a.m. Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japanese and U.S. seismologists said. The U.S. Geological Survey later updated its strength to 8.8 magnitude and a depth of 20.7 kilometers (13 miles).
The Russian authorities didn’t report any significant damage on Kamchatka. The main city, Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, is located on the coast of Avacha Bay that protected it from waves.
Both Kachatka and particularly the Kurils are sparsely populated.
The quake was centered about 119 kilometers (74 miles) east-southeast from the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000, on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed.
Severokurilsk Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said the port in the city was flooded by tsunami waves, washing fishing boats into the sea. He said that no major damage was recorded.
Power supplies have been shut and the authorities were checking the power network after the flooding.
In this image taken from a video released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, rescuers inspect a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russia declares state of emergency on the Kuril islands
The Russian authorities declared a state of emergency on the Kuril islands after the tsunami.
They earlier reported that several tsunami waves flooded the fishing port of Severokurilsk, the main city on the islands, and cut power supplies to the area. The Russian authorities said that tsunami waves topping 3 meters (9.8 feet) hit Severokurilsk.
Japan asserts territorial rights to the four Pacific islands it calls the Northern Territories. They were taken by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty.
8.8-magnitude quake was among the strongest this century
Wednesday’s 8.8-magnitude quake was among the four strongest earthquakes this century, and among the eight strongest since 1900, according to the USGS.
The earthquake occurred along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.
The 2011 Japan quake and the 2004 earthquake off Indonesia were 9.1 magnitude, and a 2010 earthquake in Chile also was recorded at 8.8 magnitude.
Thai and Cambodian tourists visit Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Ta Miang Sub-district, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, as usual on July 16, 2025.
BANGKOK — Two ancient temples along the Thai-Cambodian border have become symbols of nationalist pride and sources of military tension, transforming sacred historical sites into contested political battlegrounds.
Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, located in Phanom Dong Rak district of Thailand’s Surin province, have evolved into landmarks that attract tourists from both Thailand and Cambodia seeking to display their respective national pride. This pilgrimage tourism took a dangerous turn when military forces from both nations clashed on July 24.
Following ceasefire negotiations on July 29, Thailand’s 2nd Army Region released images showing barbed wire installations surrounding the temples. Military forces remain stationed at both Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, reflecting the deep mistrust between the two nations.
Thailand’s 2nd Army Region releases an image showing barbed wire installations surrounding the temples on July 29, 2025.
These temples, along with Ta Muen Toch and the Chong Bok area, sit within disputed territory that Cambodia has claimed before the International Court of Justice, seeking exclusive ownership rights. Thailand has declared it will not recognize the authority of the international court, still smarting from a 1962 ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory containing the historic Preah Vihear Temple (known as Khao Phra Wihan in Thailand) – a decision that continues to irritate bilateral relations to this day.
Historical Significance
According to Assistant Professor Dr. Rungroj Thamrungreung, a historian and cultural expert specializing in the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, the border region between northeastern Thailand and northern Cambodia contains a rich collection of stone temples and archaeological remains that chronicle the lives of ancient communities.
These sites serve as witnesses to human settlement patterns, cultural beliefs, and cross-border interactions between communities living on both sides of the Dângrêk Mountains. Tragically, what once stood as evidence of shared heritage has now become a source of international conflict.
The main tower of Prasat Ta Muen Thom, featuring a projecting mandapa at the front. (Credit: Silpa Wattanatham Magazine, Matichon Group)
Ta Muen Thom Temple
Ta Muen Thom Temple occupies a strategic position at Ta Muen Pass, one of the most crucial passages through the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. Historically, this pass served as a vital communication route between northeastern Thailand and Cambodia, connecting the Cambodian political center of Angkor with important communities in northeastern Thailand, including those near Phanom Rung in Buriram province and Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
During the reign of King Jayavarman VII (1181–1219 CE), the monarch commissioned the construction of dharmasalas – rest houses for travelers – along various routes throughout his empire. One major route connected Angkor to Phimai via the Ta Muen Pass, featuring seventeen dharmasalas along its length, underscoring the strategic importance of this corridor in the ancient Khmer Empire.
Swayambhu Linga, the principal sacred object of worship at Prasat Ta Muen Thom (Credit: Silpa Wattanatham Magazine, Matichon Group)
Archaeological Evidence
The temple’s oldest artifact is the Ta Muen Thom inscription No. 1, carved in Pallava script and Sanskrit on a natural rock surface within the temple courtyard. Dating to the 12th-early 13th Buddhist century (approximately 7th-8th century CE), this inscription references Brahmanical beliefs and Shiva worship, indicating the site’s early function as a Shaivite religious center.
Additional inscriptions provide insights into temple activities across different periods:
Inscription No. 9 (878 CE): Details land ownership arrangements during and after King Jayavarman III’s reign (850-877 CE), likely encompassing areas now belonging to both modern Thailand and Cambodia.
Inscription No. 4 (1013 CE): From King Suryavarman I’s reign (1010-1050 CE), records land donations, boundary demarcations, and divine offerings.
Inscription No. 5 (1020 CE): Also from Suryavarman I’s era, describes offerings of goods and slaves to deities.
Tourists from Thailand and Cambodia visit Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province on July 14, 2025.
The temple maintained its prominence during Jayavarman VII’s reign in the 13th century CE, positioned along the royal road (Rajamarga) linking Angkor and Phimai. During this period, two nearby temples – Ta Muen and Ta Muen Toch – were constructed by royal decree to serve as a rest house and hospital chapel (Arogyashala) for travelers, respectively.
These southwestern neighbors of Ta Muen Thom demonstrate the flourishing ancient communities of the region, with Ta Muen Thom functioning as the central spiritual and cultural hub.
Ta Kwai Temple
Ta Kwai Temple, a smaller religious site, has only recently attracted scholarly attention. Named after the Ta Kwai Pass on which it stands, the temple received its most comprehensive study from researchers at the Muang Boran Journal, who discovered it consists of a single sandstone tower without associated buildings or inscriptions to illuminate its history.
The sandstone structure remains largely intact, including its roof. The floor plan features elongated corners and entrance portals on all four sides – hallmarks of Khmer architectural style from the Angkorian period. Without decorative carvings to provide dating clues, scholars estimate construction occurred between the 11th and 13th centuries CE.
Combination image of Ta Kwai Temple in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province — left: archival photo by the Fine Arts Department; right: present-day photo taken on June 19, showing public health volunteers from Chaiyaphum Municipality posing in front of the temple. The sandstone structure remains largely well-preserved.
Within the central sanctuary (garbhagriha), researchers found a natural stone pillar resembling a linga – a phallic symbol representing Shiva. If confirmed as a linga, this would establish the temple as a Brahmanical shrine housing a sacred Swayambhu linga, similar to Ta Muen Thom.
Cultural Legacy and Modern Tragedy
Both Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range stand as enduring symbols of ancient communities’ profound spiritual devotion – a devotion that once transcended territorial boundaries.
The transformation of these spiritual sites from unifying symbols of religious faith into disputed zones reflects the unfortunate reality of modern political borders along the Dângrêk Mountains separating Thailand and Cambodia. This conflict has overshadowed the temples’ true cultural and religious significance, creating an atmosphere where genuine peace remains elusive.
The current militarization of these sacred spaces represents a profound irony: sites once dedicated to spiritual harmony and cross-cultural exchange now serve as flashpoints for nationalist tensions, surrounded by barbed wire and military installations rather than pilgrims seeking enlightenment.
Soldiers transport the body of Sergeant First Class (Special) Theerayuth Seejuyjay, age 39, who died in clashes at the Thai-Cambodia border, from Somdet Chao Phraya Mahakasatriasuk Camp in Mueang District, Buriram Province, back to his hometown in Nong Khai Province on July 30, 2025. Sergeant First Class Theerayuth died in the area of Chong Sai Taku, Ban Kruad District, Buriram Province, on July 28.
This ongoing undeclared war between Thailand and Cambodia involves information warfare, the spread of fake news, and disinformation to undermine the opponent’s morale and gain international legitimacy and sympathy.
Most recently, the Cambodian Government PR posted a warning that the Thai army’s claim of successfully capturing Ta Muen Thom temple complex (one of the four disputed areas) and surrounding it with barbed wire to prevent Cambodian entry is fake news. They urged Cambodian citizens not to believe or share this news.
I believe that if the Thai military wants to clearly prove their claim, they should take a Thai or foreign newspaper from today, stand at Ta Muen Thom, and read aloud any breaking news, especially the latest international news, from today. Then, they should record a video and share it.
I suggest this because, even though the image of Ta Muen Thom surrounded by barbed wire, which the Royal Thai Army released yesterday, looks realistic, I cannot verify it myself. While I may wanted to travel to the temple today, I cannot due to national security and safety restrictions.
I want to emphasize that we should not automatically trust the Thai military just because we are Thai citizens, born on Thai soil. Similarly, Cambodians who are still rational should not automatically trust the Cambodian government or Ms Maly just because they are Khmer.
Reputable foreign media (not Thai or Cambodian) will state when they report information from Thai or Cambodian authorities that they cannot independently verify the information themselves- if they cannot.
Finally, I want to say that we have more than enough war cheerleaders for both armies. People from both nations have lost enough. Take off the ultranationalist helmet and put on the critical thinking hat. Put on the hat of humanity that transcends narrow and petty nationalism. Then, seek diverse information from foreign media, both Western and Asian, including English-language Cambodian media, and compare it with news published by Thai media. This is because many Thai media outlets have become cheerleaders for war and conflict, making it almost impossible to find impartial coverage and good reasoning.
Let’s work together to find a peaceful resolution for Thailand and our neighbour as quickly as possible, for both Thailand and Cambodia. This is because the first casualty of war is the truth. The second casualty of war is the ability to use wisdom to process diverse information. And the third casualty of war is humanity. Because looking at the death of a neighboir, labelled as an ‘enemy,’ with satisfaction or without compassion for their fate means you are losing your own humanity to this war.
Besides the combined death toll of around thirty Thai soldiers and civilians (not counting the Cambodian side which is around 134,000 individuals evacuated to safe zones across the country, and from July 24 to 27, an estimated 200,000 Cambodians returned to Cambodia from Thailand as the situation escalated, and as of July 28 — 5 Cambodian soldiers were killed and 21 injured. At least 8 civilians have died, with 50 wounded along the border.)
The latest Thai figures show that over 200,000 Thais living along the border have had to evacuate. Tens of thousands of Cambodian workers in Thailand are still struggling to carry their belongings to return home to Cambodia in a scene similar to refugeees fleeing.
The border trade economy between Thailand and Cambodia is in ruins.
But the so-called Thai keyboard warriors, who are ultra-nationalists, sit typing away in air-conditioned rooms, sipping lattes or matcha cappuccinos, who should bear some responsibility, won’t take any. At most, when a soldier dies, they’ll post “Thank you for sacrificing your life for the nation” and then quickly move on… scrolling through their phones, continuing with their normal lives far away from the Thai-Cambodia border… as the call for more attacks continue despite the fragile truce on July 29.
CK Power Public Company Limited (CKPower, SET: CKP) has won two major regional accolades at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2025 in, recognition of its strong commitment to supporting society and communities surrounding its power plants. The company was honored in the categories of Social Empowerment and Green Leadership for its projects: “Hinghoi: Renewable Energy for a Better Quality of Life” and “Hinghoi: Preserving and Restoring Natural Resources” projects. In addition, CKPower received the prestigious Silver Emblem of Sustainability, acknowledging its outstanding performance and unwavering commitment to sustainability across all dimensions. This marks the fourth consecutive year that CKPower has been recognized at the AREA award, underscoring its dedication to leveraging the capabilities of its personnel to foster social and community development around its power plants. It also reinforces the trust and recognition the company has earned across Asia for its sustainable business practices, driven by its CSR Strategy Framework 2022–2026 for Social Value Creation.
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) are organized by Enterprise Asia, a leading non-profit organization that seeks to champion social outreach and promote capacity building among for entrepreneurs across the region to sustainable economic development. At the award ceremony held at the Athenee Hotel, Ms. Tuangporn Bunyasaranand, Assistant Managing Director – Corporate Communication and Sustainability Management at CKPower, accepted the awardson behalf of the Company, joined by members of the CKPower team.
A Russian female tourist (left) thanks police at Pattaya City Police Station on July 29, 2025, after they arrested the motorcycle-riding thief who robbed her (in black shirt, seated right) at Pattaya City Police Station on July 29, 2025.
PATTAYA — Police arrested a 28-year-old Cambodian man within 24 hours of his alleged robbery of a Russian tourist in Pattaya, with the suspect claiming he turned to crime after losing his job due to anti-Cambodian sentiment following recent border tensions.
The arrest came less than 24 hours after the incident, when a motorcycle-riding thief snatched a bag from Miss Daria, a 29-year-old Russian tourist, while she was walking in Soi Chalermprakiat 14, Pattaya, Chonburi Province.
Police patrol officers found the woman in shock when they arrived at the scene around 8 p.m. She told police she was staying nearby and had been walking to exchange money when a young man on a motorcycle grabbed her bag containing $100 USD and 1,100 Thai baht before fleeing.
Investigators from Pattaya City Police Station deployed officers to search for clues, examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses in the surrounding area. Their efforts led them to discover the motorcycle used in the crime at Soi Sukhumvit 71, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, at 4:30 p.m. on July 29.
When the suspect spotted police approaching, he immediately attempted to flee, but officers had already cordoned off the area and successfully apprehended him.
Combination photo: A Russian female tourist reports the crime in a state of shock after being robbed by a motorcycle rider in Soi Chalermprakiat 14, while police examine CCTV footage to identify the suspect on July 28, 2025.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Cambodian national Chid Jan, was arrested with Miss Daria’s bag in his possession. During questioning, he confessed to the crime, explaining that he had lost his job and had no money to send back to his wife and children.
Jan told police he had searched extensively for employment but claimed that due to negative sentiment from the recent Thai-Cambodia border clashes, no employers would hire him because of his Cambodian nationality.
Facing financial desperation, Jan said he decided to borrow a motorcycle from an acquaintance and search for victims. He encountered the Russian tourist walking alone in the secluded alley and committed the robbery before attempting to escape.
The suspect has been charged with nighttime robbery.
The Russian tourist praised the police officers for their swift action in apprehending the suspect within just a few hours and returning her stolen property. She expressed continued confidence in Pattaya as a safe tourist destination with thorough law enforcement protection, stating she plans to visit again when the opportunity arises.
Radiance Skin Clinic: The Art of the Natural Look for Botox in Bangkok
At Radiance Skin Clinic, medical expertise meets artistry to deliver Botox results that are refreshing and rejuvenating, never “frozen.”
Bangkok is a city of expressions. It’s in the confident smiles of its business leaders, the focused concentration of its entrepreneurs, and the warm greetings of its vibrant community. A life fully lived is a life fully expressed, and over time, the story of our lives is etched onto our faces. These dynamic lines—the crow’s feet from years of smiling, the forehead lines from moments of surprise, the frown lines from deep in thought—are a natural part of aging. But in a world where we want to look as energetic and vibrant as we feel, many are seeking a way to soften these lines without erasing their character.
For years, Botox has been the globally recognized gold standard for safely and effectively treating these dynamic wrinkles. Yet, a common fear persists—the fear of looking “overdone” or “frozen.” This is where the modern approach to aesthetic medicine makes all the difference. The goal is no longer to erase every line, but to create a refreshed, well-rested, and entirely natural appearance. It’s a subtle art form, and for discerning residents, expats, and even cabin crew on flight breaks seeking the best Botox in Bangkok, finding a practitioner who is both a doctor and an artist is paramount. This is why many are turning to Radiance Skin Clinic, a premier destination where medical precision and aesthetic artistry combine to deliver beautifully natural results.
Understanding Botox: More Than Just a Wrinkle Treatment
To appreciate the artistry involved, it’s important to first understand the science. Botox is not a filler that plumps the skin. It is a purified protein that works as a neuromodulator. In simple terms, it works by temporarily relaxing the specific, tiny facial muscles that contract and cause wrinkles when we make expressions.
When administered correctly, it doesn’t “freeze” your face. Instead, it softens the intensity of these muscle contractions. You can still smile, frown, and look surprised, but the overlying skin doesn’t crease as deeply, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance. Its effectiveness is most celebrated in treating the common areas where expression lines form:
Crow’s Feet: The fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes.
Forehead Lines: The horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
Glabellar Lines: The vertical “11” lines that form between the brows from frowning or concentrating.
By targeting only these specific muscles, the rest of your facial expressions remain completely unaffected, ensuring you still look like you—just a more rested and refreshed version.
The Injector’s Art: Why Your Choice of Clinic is Everything
The single most important factor in achieving a beautiful, natural-looking result with Botox isn’t the product itself—it’s the injector. A successful treatment requires a practitioner with a profound understanding of facial anatomy, a keen artistic eye, and a commitment to a personalized approach. This is where the distinction of a top-tier clinic becomes clear.
Achieving a subtle, refreshed result withBotox Bangkok is an art form perfected by the experts at Radiance Skin Clinic. Their approach is built on a foundation of medical excellence that sets them apart.
Doctor-Led Procedures:
At Radiance, all Botox injections are performed by a qualified doctor. This is not just a matter of policy; it’s a commitment to safety and quality. A doctor possesses an intricate knowledge of the 43 muscles in the human face, understanding how they interact to create expression. This expertise allows for precise placement of the injections, ensuring the desired muscles are relaxed while leaving surrounding muscles untouched for natural movement.
A “Less is More” Philosophy:
The clinic operates on a conservative “less is more” philosophy. The goal is not to use a standard dose for every patient, but to use customized micro-doses to achieve the desired effect. This prevents the heavy, unnatural look that can result from over-treatment and ensures a result that is subtle and sophisticated. It’s about looking rejuvenated, not “done.”
Personalized Treatment:
No two faces are the same. Your facial structure, muscle strength, and aesthetic goals are unique. Before any treatment, the doctors at Radiance conduct a thorough consultation to create a plan tailored specifically to you. They analyze your facial movements and discuss your desired outcome to ensure the final result aligns perfectly with your expectations.
Beyond the Brow: The Versatility of Botox
While most famous for treating wrinkles on the upper face, the applications of Botox extend much further, and a knowledgeable clinic can leverage its versatility for a range of aesthetic and medical concerns. This comprehensive expertise is another reason why discerning clients choose Radiance Skin Clinic.
One of the most popular advanced treatments is jawline slimming. For individuals with a square or wide jawline caused by overactive masseter (chewing) muscles, Botox can be a game-changer. By carefully injecting and relaxing these muscles, the treatment can create a softer, slimmer, and more refined V-shaped jawline, all without surgery.
Furthermore, Botox is a highly effective medical treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). For those who are troubled by this condition, injections in the underarms can block the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands, providing significant relief for months at a time. This demonstrates a deeper, medical understanding of the product, offering patients confidence in the clinic’s comprehensive knowledge.
An Investment in Your Best Self
In a city that values both appearance and authenticity, a well-executed Botox treatment is an investment in your best self. It’s a safe, reliable, and effective way to align how you look on the outside with the energy and vitality you feel on the inside. When performed by a skilled medical professional who respects the art of subtlety, the result is a boost in confidence that radiates through every aspect of your life.
For anyone in Bangkok—from long-term residents and expatriates to international visitors and cabin crew seeking a trusted touch-up—who demands the highest standard of care, Radiance Skin Clinic is the definitive choice. It is where medical science and aesthetic artistry meet to help you look and feel, quite simply, like the best version of yourself.
