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Young players aged 4-14 are invited to the 4th Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship at Fitz Club, Pattaya, on 8-9 November 2025, with national ranking points on offer, a pre-tournament clinic, and family activities throughout the weekend.

Pattaya will serve up a festival of youth tennis as the Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship returns for its 4th edition-its second staging this year due to popular demand. Hosted at Fitz Club – Racquet, Health and Fitness, the tournament welcomes boys and girls aged 4-14 of every skill level, offering a friendly yet competitive environment to sharpen match craft, meet peers and collect valuable points towards Thailand’s national rankings.

Subhead: Pre-tournament clinic and CEO challenge

On Friday, 7 November from 6pm, certified tennis and fitness coaches will lead a Tennis Clinic and Challenge to help participants warm up and build confidence ahead of match play. A special lucky draw will select 10 kids to face Royal Cliff CEO Vitanart Vathanakul; any challenger who can beat the CEO 10-0 will receive a THB 10,000 cash prize. Places are limited and advance booking is required (details via the clinic registration link).

Subhead: A weekend for the whole family

Beyond the baseline, the championship doubles as a family day out. Expect fun activity booths from Funtasea – Kids Club, recovery and sports massage for players by Vitala, relaxing treatments from Cliff Spa therapists, live food stations, a buffet dinner and live music. Every entrant receives a welcome pack sponsored by Supersports and K-Swiss, with Tecnifibre supplying high-quality competition balls and Carabao providing refreshments.

Subhead: Registration and special rates

Registration is open now until 24 October 2025 at royalcliff.com/rcjt. Special room rates are available for tournament families. For bookings or enquiries, call 038-250-421 ext. 2820-24, email reservations@royalcliff.com, or contact LINE: @RoyalCliff. Early registration is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Subhead: About Fitz Club

Fitz Club, Royal Cliff’s elite sports centre, is a premier training destination whose hard courts are designed to mirror Australian Open conditions. Renowned ATP names-including Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke and Denis Istomin-have trained here. The venue regularly hosts junior and senior tennis events alongside squash and table-tennis competitions, and now adds new facilities for pickleball, futsal, basketball and badminton, further cementing its status as a hub for both aspiring and recreational athletes.

Partners

This edition is supported by Supersports, K-Swiss, Carabao, Tecnifibre, Vitala and Tennis-10, whose backing helps deliver a professionally run, family-friendly tournament that inspires the next generation of Thai tennis.

Thailand’s headline consumer price index fell for a sixth consecutive month in September, declining by 0.72% year-on-year, but the country has yet to encounter a recession, says the Commerce Ministry.

The index stood at 100.11 last month, compared with 100.14 in August.

The main contributing factor was the decrease in energy prices, including electricity and fuel, driven by the government’s cost of living relief measures as well as falling energy prices in the global market.

The prices of fresh food items, especially chicken eggs, fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, were still lower than those of last year. Other goods and services did not have a significant impact on the rate of inflation.

The government wants to ease the cost of living, so it has lowered the power tariff to 3.94 baht per kilowatt-hour for the September-December period, down from 3.98 baht, while farm produce prices remained cheap due to the high quantity of supplies in the market.

“Though headline inflation was in negative territory for six months, it does not signify we are entering a recession,” said Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

“This is because the core inflation continued to rise, supported by domestic demand as well as employment in the country which did not decrease.”

Core inflation, which does not include goods in the energy and fresh food categories, rose by 0.65% year-on-year in September.

From January to September, core inflation increased by 0.9%.

Mr Nantapong is aware GDP growth has so far been lower than projections for this year, but the economy has still managed to grow slightly.

“This is not a sign of recession. It is an economic slowdown,” he said.

However, authorities are not being complacent with regard to the current situation. They remain cautious and are closely monitoring changes in economic circumstances, he noted.

Mr Nantapong said the government’s “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, scheduled to be launched by the end of October, may have a limited impact on inflation.

The scheme would only be able to help increase inflation slightly because it is a short-term measure, he said.

To increase inflation more significantly, the government should speed up budget spending in order to inject more money into the economy, Mr Nantapong.

He expects Thailand’s inflation in the final quarter of this year to get close to zero, attributed mainly to the lower Dubai crude oil reference price as Opec and its allies continue to increase oil production.

For the whole year, headline inflation should stand at 0%, down from an earlier projection of 0-1%.

Artificial intelligence (AI) creators are expected to make decisions using other AI agents, while human influencers will still survive by creatively coexisting with AI, says influencer agency Tellscore.

This might involve influencers crafting their own AI avatars to create short-form content, or harnessing AI as a powerful tool to enhance brand development, noted the agency.

According to statistics sourced from “Influencer Economy Worldwide” by Statista.com, the value of the global creator and influencer market posted an average annual growth rate of 20-30%.

In 2024, the market value reached US$24 billion, and it is projected to soar to $32.5 billion this year, reflecting a strong upward trend worldwide.

One trend this year is the rise of AI in creator-led branding, said Suvita Charanwong, chief executive and co-founder of Tellscore, at Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 held by Tellscore recently.

This approach goes beyond simple differentiation, focusing instead on “telling stories with a human connection,” according to Ms Suvita. It communicates what the brand represents, the value it delivers to consumers, and highlights the influencers and creators involved and how they engage with their communities, she noted.

She added that to strengthen branding and deepen audience engagement, it is vital to integrate online-to-offline marketing strategies through real-world initiatives such as events, workshops, and concerts.

Ms Suvita said the industry is expecting autonomous AI creators to make decisions together with other agents in the future.

For example, they could conduct live selling, take live questions from the crowd, make decisions on logistics and marketing promotion, and set adaptive pricing strategies.

The path to survival for influencers is to “coexist with AI” in creative ways. This includes influencers developing their own AI avatars to produce short-form content once or twice a week, or using AI as a tool to strengthen brand building.

She added that influencers still exist and have not been replaced by AI, but they need to embrace change.

However, this would require transparency, making it clear when content is AI-generated in order to avoid confusing consumers. This form of openness enhances the value and credibility of creators in the eyes of both brands and their audiences.

Ms Suvita noted that TikTok continues to build strong momentum, while YouTube is reshaping its strategy with long-form content and partnerships with e-commerce platforms to push further into social commerce.

Instagram remains a key space for trendsetters, particularly through its “Stories” feature, which generates a high level of engagement.

Among emerging platforms, Lemon8 is gaining popularity among Gen Z with its simple, fast content formats, while XiaoHongShu is rapidly expanding its market presence in Thailand and across Southeast Asia, creating strong opportunities for bilingual creators fluent in both English and Chinese.

She said one of the most promising opportunities lies with LGBTQ+ creators within the context of the rainbow economy, underscoring Thailand’s openness and willingness to embrace diversity as a key strength.

Brands collaborating with these creators not only gain commercial benefits but also build emotional connections and trust with Gen Z and millennial consumers, who place a premium on trust, authenticity, and inclusion.

The creator market will certainly continue to grow despite global economic volatility, but the path ahead will not be easy.

Ms Suvita said creators and brands must adapt quickly, paying close attention to global geopolitics and opportunities, particularly within the region.

They should also begin producing content in English or Chinese to tap international markets, said Ms Suvita.

Future scenarios

Ms Suvita outlined future scenarios for content creators, comprising three distinct categories: “Want to Be”, “Today”, and “Want to Avoid”.

An ideal future, labelled the “Want to Be” scenario, is characterised by unlimited creativity for global success. This path envisions Asian content creators participating in setting global standards and exporting high-quality content abroad, supported by sufficient talent, funding, and content series.

There is a self-made Thai creator economy, where the profession is officially recognised with structured professional standards, financial backing and support.

The “Today” refers to the current reality that consists of growth on an unstable path, where creators are building understanding and community, but are constantly undermined by platform misuse, referring to issues such as fraud, the exploitation of sensitive topics, fake news, and call centres.

The crisis of trust in Thailand’s content industry has arisen as Thailand continues to rely on foreign platforms, whose algorithms influence the quality of content and shape the values of people in the country.

The future described as “Want to Avoid” represents the industry’s collapse, characterised by widespread fraud, a significant decline in people’s wealth and income, and constant attacks on the industry, all of which necessitate an urgent restoration of public confidence.

The Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced 11 former red-shirt protesters to jail over their role in the 2010 anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok that culminated in an army crackdown that left scores of people dead.

The supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra were found guilty of violating state of emergency rules imposed during the protests, which sought to oust then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The court sentenced five protest leaders, including Jatuporn Prompan, to four years and four months in prison, while six others received four-month sentences and two were acquitted.

Originally there were 13 defendants in the case but one has died and one has fled abroad.

All 11 defendants were granted bail pending appeals, with the five leaders released on a surety of 200,000 baht each and told not to leave the country. The others were released on bail of 50,000 baht each.

‘We respect the court’s verdict,’ Jatuporn said, adding that appeals were being planned.

Jatuporn in recent years has become a vocal critic of Thaksin and participated in rallies held earlier this year to call for the ouster of the Pheu Thai-led government.

The other four leaders sentenced along with Jatuporn were Weerakarn Musikapong, Nattawut Saikuar, Dr Weng Tojirakarn and Adisorn Piangket. Mr Adisorn is currently protected by parliamentary immunity.

All five had been sentenced to 6 years for inciting unrest and violating the emergency decree, but received a one-third sentence reduction due to partial cooperation during the trial.

Tens of thousands of protesters, known by the colour of their attire, took over key intersections in the capital in 2010, with some hunkering down in fortified protest camps and clashing with authorities.

The protests shut down government complexes for more than two months, and ended when soldiers used live rounds to disperse demonstrators from downtown Bangkok.

Human Rights Watch said at least 90 people were killed during the unrest, and more than 2,000 were injured.

Authorities announced murder charges in 2012 against Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban over the deadly crackdown, but they were later acquitted.

A former chief of the Department of Special Investigation, Tarit Pengdit, who had sought to charge the pair, was instead prosecuted himself and sentenced to two years in prison for malfeasance in 2023.

Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and fled the country in 2008 prior to being sentenced for conflict of interest and abuse of power while in office earlier. He returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was brought straight to court and then to prison to serve the sentence.

He is now serving a one-year term in a Bangkok prison, after the Supreme Court ruled last month that his 2023 sentence was not properly carried out. Thaksin spent six months in a VIP hospital suite after complaining of chest pains on his first night behind bars in 2023.

Microsoft has admitted that two widely used features in Windows 10 and Windows 11 are slowing down computers, with OneDrive file synchronisation and visual effects identified as the main causes.

The company has also shared advice for users and pledged improvements in future updates.

The disclosure follows Microsoft’s claim that Windows 11 version 25H2, its latest update, delivers far better performance than versions 24H2 and 22H2, particularly in speed and responsiveness. However, the company acknowledged that certain built-in features can counteract these improvements.

The first culprit is OneDrive sync. Microsoft described OneDrive as an essential tool that allows users to access files across devices and provides cloud backup in case of hardware failure. But the process of real-time syncing consumes significant system resources, especially when large folders such as Documents, Desktop or Pictures are uploaded or downloaded. This can cause noticeable slowdowns at peak times.

To mitigate the issue, Microsoft recommends that users pause OneDrive synchronisation temporarily if their PC feels sluggish. The company stressed that doing so will not affect existing files, and syncing can be resumed at any time. Microsoft added that the new OneDrive app for Windows 11 may optimise resource usage in future updates, reducing the problem.

The second feature slowing systems is Windows 11’s visual effects, including animations and shadows, that enhance the look of the interface. Microsoft explained that these consume additional CPU, GPU and RAM resources. Devices with limited specifications, particularly those with less than 8GB of RAM, are most affected, resulting in lag or delays when multiple applications are opened simultaneously.

Turning off the effects can be done through the Performance Options menu. Users can search ‘performance’ in Windows, select ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’, and then choose ‘Adjust for best performance’ before applying the changes.

Disabling the effects simplifies the interface but makes systems more responsive, especially on entry-level laptops and PCs.

Microsoft confirmed that OneDrive sync and visual effects are the two main factors slowing down Windows systems. Small adjustments, such as pausing sync or disabling animations, can noticeably boost performance in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, without the need to install additional software.

The Department of Highways has vowed to quickly fix signs and resolve GPS issues that drivers have blamed for unwanted detours onto Motorway M81 from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi.

The issue gained traction after a viral Facebook post described one user’s distressing experience: ‘The worst thing happened. The mall (Central Westgate) required a left turn, but Maps said right – and I ended up on M81 heading to Kanchanaburi with no way out. I cried while driving.’

Other users responded with similar stories, citing the route’s complexity and the need for heightened awareness.

In response, the department acknowledged the confusion and pledged to improve the signage and road markings.

The department is expediting the installation of clearer directional signs and road surface markings, especially at key junctions like Bang Yai (Rattanathibet Road). These updates aim to help drivers distinguish between the motorway entrance and local destinations during the trial phase of M81.

The measure also involves coordinating with navigation app providers to update entry/exit points, toll booth locations and operational hours. The goal is to minimise misinformation and achieve real-time accuracy for users relying on GPS navigation.

Also, there will be alternate exit guidance for drivers who mistakenly enter the M81. The department recommends exiting at the Nakhon Chai Si toll gate, turning onto Highway 3233, and making a U-turn to rejoin M81 toward Bang Yai. The detour takes approximately 15 minutes.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the issue swiftly and, in the meantime, urged motorists to consult official entry/exit maps and plan routes carefully.

Nearly 150,000 households displaced by clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border have begun receiving relief payments from the government, though many recipients say the amount is simply not enough to cover their losses, especially if fresh clashes erupt.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) on Monday, 147,370 households in Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Surin have received financial assistance from the government — 39,632 in Buri Ram, 37,297 in Si Sa Ket, and 70,441 in Surin.

In line with a resolution passed by the cabinet on Aug 26, households that were displaced for more than eight days are eligible to receive 5,000 baht in compensation, while households which were displaced for less than seven days would receive 2,000 baht each.

The payments, which are disbursed through the Government Savings Bank starting Monday, are part of a wider initiative to help those who had to evacuate their homes during the recent border skirmishes.

Long queues formed at ATMs and bank branches early Monday morning, as recipients rushed to withdraw the money. Some even left their home as early as 1am on Monday to queue at the bank.

Somjit Chaiwan, 76, from Si Sa Ket, was among those who queued before the bank opened.

She said she wanted to withdraw the 5,000 baht in aid as soon as the bank opened, as she needed the money to buy rice and daily necessities. “Some will be kept for fuel in case we need to evacuate again,” she said.

Ton Saewprakhon, 60, in Buri Ram, said he planned to save the entire sum. “I won’t spend it now. I’ll keep it for the next evacuation because I don’t know what’s going to happen with Cambodia,” he said.

Many others, however, said the money would go toward repaying loans they took out during the evacuation period.

One Si Sa Ket resident said her family spent over 10,000 baht during their week-long evacuation. “The aid helps, but most of it will go towards settling what we borrowed,” she said.

To meet the demand for cash, local banks prepared extra cash reserves ahead of opening on Monday.

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Ban Kruat said it had set aside 30 million baht per week to prevent cash shortages at ATMs.

Despite the relief, opposition MP Rangsiman Rome, chair of the House committee on national security and border affairs, said the government’s support remains inadequate.

“Many villagers have told me that 5,000 baht is not enough. Some are still waiting for their electricity bill payments to be reimbursed, and many village defence volunteers have yet to be paid,” he said.

Relief for residents in Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, and Trat will be transferred next, according to DDPM.

Armed men blew up an ATM at Fatoni University and stole the security guards’ guns in Yarang district of this southern border province early Tuesday morning.

According to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), up to five armed men were involved.

About 12.53am they arrived by walking down a hill behind the university in tambon Khao Toom. They held up and tied the two security guards in their booth in front of the campus and robbed them of their shotguns.

The assailants then detonated an explosive against an ATM of the Islamic Bank beside the university gate. It failed the open up the machine and they could not get to the cash in its strongbox.

They finally gave up and retreated back up the hill with only the guards’ stolen weapons.

Isoc said the failed attack showed that the militants were desperate for money to support their activities, regardless of the public interest. The investigation and hunt for the gang were ongoing, Isoc’s southern branch said.

The failed ATM attack came two days after the huge gold heist in adjacent Narathiwat province, which officials believe was for use funding rebel activities. That followed coordinated ATM robberies in August and a major gold shop raid in Songkhla in 2019.

Their Majesties the King and Queen have received as a patient under royal patronage the British caver who played an important role in the rescue of young footballers from the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand in 2018.

Vernon Unsworth, 70, has been admitted for treatment of lung inflammation at Maechan Hospital in Mae Chan district of the northernmost province of Chiang Rai.

Authorities from Chiang Rai visited Mr Unsworth at the hospital on Monday and reported his condition was stable. He could talk normally and communicate with the visitors, they said.

A cave expert and longtime resident of Chiang Rai where he worked as a financial adviser, the British-born Mr Unsworth had surveyed the Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai.

He played an important role in helping to plan the rescue of 12 young members of the ‘Wild Boars’ football team and their coach after they became trapped in the flooded cave in June and July 2018.

The rescue effort attracted worldwide attention and saturation coverage by international media, as experts from many countries travelled to Thailand and volunteered their expertise to bring the boys and their coach out safely.

Tham Luang has since become a well-known tourist attraction.

Mr Unsworth was at the centre of a related drama after he brought a defamation case against Elon Musk, who insulted him in an angry tweet for criticising a rescue plan proposed by the tech billionaire as a ‘PR stunt’.

A Los Angeles jury found that Mr Musk did not defame Mr Unsworth by calling him a ‘pedo guy’ on Twitter. The billionaire’s lawyers had argued that their client had used the expression as an insult but did not mean it literally.

Thai hotel operators have applauded the finance minister’s decision to accelerate use of the 10-billion-baht meeting and seminar budget for government agencies, although they would prefer the stimulus to begin in May next year to cushion the low-season impact.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government would encourage state agencies to spread their activities throughout the year instead of concentrating plans in the last quarter of the fiscal year, between July and September.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the policy could benefit hotels in second-tier destinations, as they are highly dependent on meetings and seminars, which typically make up 50% of customers, the same proportion as leisure guests.

Hotels in these 55 less-visited provinces consistently draw fewer leisure guests compared with popular provinces, he said. For instance, hotels in the main tourism destinations secured an average occupancy of more than 60% this month, but hotels in the 55 provinces recorded occupancy of only 30-35%, said Mr Thienprasit.

He said the government should also consider adjusting its outdated coffee break rate of 80 baht per head. This rate is the budget for food and beverages during meetings.

The Comptroller-General’s Department, which mandates this cost for government agencies, has not revised it in 18 years despite product and service costs rising every year.

Mr Thienprasit also said the government should regulate accommodation owned by state agencies, some of which are large projects that lack hotel licences, though agencies are mandated to book their seminars with their own facilities if possible.

Given the projected four-month tenure of the current administration, Mr Thienprasit said hotel operators are more concerned that the low season will occur during a political vacuum after the anticipated general election in March or April next year.

Both public spending on meetings and seminars, as well as outlays from the new co-payment scheme for travellers to second-tier cities, should begin from May to August 2026, according to the THA.

‘During the final quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, we can still rely on foreign tourist demand during the high season,’ he said.

Hoteliers are hoping bookings in November and December will at least match the 2024 level, said Mr Thienprasit. This year, only in January did foreign arrivals reach 3.7 million, exceeding the same period last year, which recorded 3.03 million.

He said the decline in foreign arrivals of 7.5% year-on-year over the first nine months is largely attributed to short-haul markets, as long-haul markets posted monthly figures outperforming 2024.