ITF World Tennis Tour Hua Hin/Vegetarian Festival Continues/Government denies Hun Manet’s claim/Over 800 Foreign Nationals Flee to Thailand/ECONOMY: Bank Chiefs Brace for Prolonged Economic Slowdown/World Bank cuts 2026 Asia growth/Phangan nominee crackdown/Thailand’s gateway to the global AI stage/TOURISM: Resort touts Thai tourism/Korean kidnappings in Thailand/End of illegal guides/CLIMATE THAILAND: Oil and gas firms ‘greenwashing’/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
ITF World Tennis Tour Hua Hin 2025 this weekend
Tennis fans in Hua Hin can look forward to world-class action as the ITF World Tennis Tour Hua Hin 2025 comes to Arena Hua Hin, under the name Cal-Comp & CCAU Industry 4.0 ITF World Tennis Tour 2025. The series of four men’s and women’s tournaments will take place in October and November, offering world ranking points and nearly 2 million baht in prize money.
The first two weeks will feature men’s tournaments, scheduled from Oct. 20–26 and Oct. 27–Nov. 2. These will be followed by two women’s tournaments from Nov.10-16 and Nov. 17-23. Each tournament will offer US$15,000 in prize money, amounting to around 2 million baht across the four events. Continued …
Vegetarian Festival Continues Until Wednesday
The annual Vegetarian Festival, which is rooted in Chinese-Thai heritage, is taking place Oct. 20-29 this year with this observed as a period of spiritual purification, merit-making and blessings for prosperity, good fortune, and longevity.
During the nine- to 10-day period, travelers can witness grand processions of Chinese deities, striking rituals of spiritual devotion, and an impressive variety of vegetarian dishes. The celebration takes place across the country in communities with strong Thai-Chinese traditions. Each location offers a distinctive atmosphere while sharing the unifying theme of purity, health, and renewal. Continued …
Government denies Hun Manet’s claim of border map deal, insists no agreement made
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat clarified yesterday that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting held in Chanthaburi from Oct. 21-22 reached no agreement on map scales or border demarcation points, contrary to claims made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Hun Manet had posted online that Thailand and Cambodia agreed to proceed technically with temporary boundary demarcation using a 1:200,000-scale map and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. The Thai government, however, says this statement is false and misleading, warning that it could create public misunderstanding both domestically and internationally. Continued …
Over 800 Foreign Nationals Flee to Thailand After Myanmar Raids Scam Compound
More than 800 foreign nationals have fled into Thailand following a major crackdown by Myanmar’s military on a cyber scam compound in Karen State. The mass crossing took place at the Thai-Myanmar border near Mae Sot, Tak Province, where Thai authorities have established four temporary shelters now nearing full capacity. Officials expect the number of arrivals to continue rising as operations continue across the border.
The raids targeted the notorious “KK Park” compound in Myawaddy township, opposite Ban Mae Ku Tha Sung in Mae Ku subdistrict, Mae Sot District. The compound, long linked to transnational scam networks, was stormed by Myanmar’s military earlier this week. Continued …
Thailand’s Bank Chiefs Brace for Prolonged Economic Slowdown
The heads of Thailand’s eight largest commercial banks have collectively issued a stark warning, projecting that the Thai economy will endure a slowdown for at least two to three more quarters as they shift from expansion to survival mode.
The chorus of concern from the chief executives highlights an outlook burdened by both external volatility and deep-seated domestic issues. Fading global demand is hitting exports, while a crushing burden of high household debt and fragile purchasing power continues to drag on local consumption. Continued …
World Bank cuts 2026 Asia growth to 4.3%, warns of prolonged slowdown
The World Bank has downgraded its growth forecast for the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region to 4.3% in 2026, down from 4.8% this year, citing global economic headwinds, rising debt, and uncertainty in trade and fiscal policy.
In its October 2025 East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, the bank said that while regional growth remains above the global average, momentum is slowing due to weakening demand, tightening trade conditions, and persistent structural challenges. Continued …
Phangan nominee crackdown stepped up
Thai authorities say they found irregularities involving an accounting firm and real estate projects possibly linked to foreign owners during a recent inspection of suspected nominee businesses on the tourist island of Koh Phangan.
Officials from the Department of Business Development (DBD) inspected four target locations on Tuesday as part of an investigation into businesses suspected of using Thai nationals as proxy shareholders for foreigners, according to Director-general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn. Continued …
Data centers: Thailand’s gateway to the global AI stage
As nations race to become the next global hub for artificial intelligence, the key question is no longer “Will AI truly transform every industry?” but rather “Which country will have the infrastructure ready to lead that transformation?”
Tiwa Petcharat, executive vice president of ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (Thailand), says this is a critical moment Thailand cannot afford to miss, a chance to leverage its strengths and position itself as ASEAN’s number one hub for AI infrastructure. Continued …
Resort touts Thai tourism possibilities
Thailand should set an ambitious target of 45-60 million arrivals by the period of 2030 to 2035, pushing stakeholders to cooperate and keep pace with fast-growing Asia-Pacific tourism, says Galaxy Resorts Thailand.
“It’s not unthinkable to achieve those numbers with the right plan and growth strategy, as Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing tourism region worldwide and Thailand stands at the center of that region,” said Kevin Clayton, chief brand officer of Galaxy Resorts Thailand. Continued …
Korean kidnappings in Thailand trigger travel safety alarm
South Korean officials raised concerns after a rise in kidnappings involving their citizens during visits to Thailand, a top destination for Korean tourists.
According to a media report, 11 South Koreans have been kidnapped in Thailand so far this year, marking a disturbing jump from zero cases in 2021. The statistics, based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs data submitted to opposition lawmaker Kim Geon from the People Power Party, show one case in 2022 and five each in 2023 and 2024. Continued …
End of illegal guides: Severe fines and 2-year ban as high season begins
Treenuch Thienthong, the minister of Labor, revealed that she had instructed officials to strictly inspect and take legal action against foreigners working as illegal guides in Thailand, especially during the upcoming high tourism season.
She stressed that “tourist guiding” or “tour organization work” is a “reserved occupation” for Thai nationals under the law, and foreigners are strictly prohibited from performing it. Continued …
Oil and gas firms resist pressure to end ‘greenwashing’
Oil and gas companies have increasingly come under legal attack over their role in contributing to global warming, yet, unlike other industries that face tougher regulations, they have not abandoned their climate marketing claims.
It’s a strategy rolled out since the early 2000s in the wake of the Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, when firms largely dropped their denial of climate change and promoted themselves as essential players for an energy transition. Continued …
- 2 Brazilians Arrested in Bangkok Over Cocaine from Portugal – Continued …
- Bangkok Police Arrest Three Chinese Men in Re-Victimisation Scam – Continued …
- Two Myanmar Women Arrested with 1.3kg of Ice Hidden in Underwear – Continued …
After ‘bribe’, Trump pardons Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao
The cryptocurrency world has been rocked by the news that Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao (‘CZ’), the founder and former chief executive of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, just months after he was jailed for money laundering. The decision has immediately triggered fresh accusations of corruption. Continued …
White House warns of chaos at US airports as shutdown drags
US President Donald Trump’s administration sounded the alarm yesterday over potential turmoil at airports as the government shutdown threatens to drag into November, warning of ruined holiday plans for millions of Americans. With the standoff in Congress over healthcare spending now in its fourth week, Trump’s Republicans and the opposition Democrats are facing increasing pressure to end a crisis that has crippled public services. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Legend Fighting Championships returns to Bluport on Saturday
Scam scandal draws too close for comfort
2,500 scammer-linked Starlink rigs disabled in Myanmar
