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Guru By Bangkok Post’s pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.

EAT

Weekend feast / Uno Mas

Weekends at Uno Mas, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, have become a culinary ritual with diners spending leisurely afternoons enjoying bold flavours and authentic creations by chef de cuisine Borja Terry Borrego. Available every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, the buffet journeys through Spain’s coastal bounty and regional favourites. Highlights include an array of cold appetisers such as tuna and crab tartare, octopus and seafood salads, silky salmon belly and smoked salmon mille-feuille. Hot dishes feature Galician-style sea bass, Iberian pork loin, pan-seared duck breast, black ink baby squid, gambas pil-pil and oxtail bocadillo, alongside comforting classics like beef tartare, mixed croquettes, lamb chops, gnocchi and pan-seared salmon. The feast ends with a parade of Spanish sweets, from Basque cheesecake and brazo gitano to Pantxineta and churros dipped in rich chocolate sauce.

Afternoon tea / The Okura Prestige Bangkok / Until Jan 14, 2026

The Okura Prestige Bangkok has launched the ‘Sense of Matcha Afternoon Tea’, available until Jan 14, 2026 at Up and Above Restaurant and Bar. The tea begins with the savouries with a Deep fried seaweed prawn cake with matcha mayo and mango gel; Duck rillette rigatoni with matcha moss and orange peel gel; Sweet miso, edamame mascarpone tartlet; and Matcha yuzu, mango and snow crab. The sweet collections are Green forest gateaux; Genmaicha mousse with mascarpone, kinako and cherry; macarons and Yuzu green velvet cake. A choice of a clear matcha or a creamy matcha latte is also on offer.

Afternoon tea / Conrad Bangkok / Until Feb 28

Conrad Bangkok’s Diplomat Bar unveils “A Taste Of London” afternoon tea. Inspired by the elegance of London’s silver service and the charm of its afternoon tea culture, the curated experience blends classic British flavours with contemporary finesse. The 12-course menu offers British-inspired savouries and sweets. Warm scones served with vanilla Chantilly and strawberry jam complete the experience. To celebrate the launch, Diplomat Bar offers unlimited servings of four mini sandwiches from the classic cucumber to truffled egg, beetroot gravlax salmon or tomato and basil chicken. There are also London-inspired libations.

Monthly specials / Red Sky / Until Oct 31

Red Sky Restaurant at Centara Grand at CentralWorld is offering an à la carte menu dedicated to two of autumn’s most prized delicacies: golden girolles and winter truffles. Created by chef Luca Russo, the limited-time menu showcases the earthy depth and aromatic intensity of girolle mushrooms, perfectly complemented by the luxurious notes of winter truffle. Highlights include Pan-seared foie gras with girolles and winter truffle; Tagliatelle with wild girolles and winter truffle; and Black cod with grilled girolles and winter truffle.

Curated evenings / Penthosue Bar + Grill

‘The Ultimate Penthouse Experience’ is a sensory journey that unfolds across three levels of Penthouse Bar + Grill. Designed for two, the curated evening features handcrafted cocktails served with panoramic rooftop views, a decadent beef tasting dinner at the Penthouse Grill, and a bespoke whisky immersion at Southeast Asia’s first Johnnie Walker Depth of Blue flagship store. Enjoy live performances by Alba Santos at the Cocktail Bar. The evening begins with sunset pre-dinner drinks on the rooftop terrace at Level 36, where guests enjoy two signature cocktails. Alternatively, for those who prefer an indoor setting, the Cocktail Bar on Level 35 offers two cocktails by head mixologist Fabio Brugnolaro. Dinner begins at the Penthouse Grill on Level 34 with a a ‘Beef Tasting Experience’ featuring three different cuts of beef and bone marrow, and two side dishes of choice, and two expertly paired wines per person. Guests can tailor their night with two handcrafted cocktails at the Cocktail Bar on Level 35 or opt for the exclusive two-glass Johnnie Walker Depth of Blue Experience, an immersive whisky journey available only in Bangkok.

Jazzy brunch / Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit / Oct 12 and Oct 19 and Oct 26

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit will host its legendary Sunday Jazzy Brunch in October. The brunch unveils three themed journeys harmonising gourmet flavours, free-flow Champagne and world-class live jazz performances. On Oct 12, the theme is ‘Smoky Flavours: A Regional BBQ Celebration’, offering a smoky feast of global inspirations featuring tender brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausages, whole chicken and duck and smoked salmon. On Oct 19, the “Taste Of Bali With Guest Chef Wisnu Adiyatma” will take place. On Oct 26, “Treasures Of The Sea: International Chef Day Celebration”.

JOIN

Four-hands dinner / Tsu Japanese Restaurant / Oct 17

Chefs Photchaman ‘Aom’ Arnupapdecha and Atsushi Yoshida unite for an evening of Japanese-inspired cuisine that celebrates precision, creativity and collaboration at Tsu Japanese Restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok. On oct 17, chef Aom from Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa’s Big Fish and Bar joins chef Yoshida, Japanese head chef at JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok. The menu opens with a Rosette waffle with tuna tartare; Sustainable hamachi, salmon and kihada maguro; Seabass and prawns aguachile; and Glazed pork loin with shimeji, sweet white onions, spinach, and kabayaki pork sauce for mains. The experience concludes with a Kasama chestnut mousse with red bean and caramelised chestnuts.

Terrarium workshop / Avani Ratchada Bangkok / Oct 18

Avani Ratchada Bangkok will host a “Mix and Moss: Bottle Terrarium Workshop” on Oct 18 at the Metro Lounge. In collaboration with Miniature Terrarium, participants will be guided step-by-step to design a unique living piece. The two-hour workshop comes with unlimited drinks including tea, coffee and mocktails, along with an array of delicate sweet treats and light bites crafted by the hotel’s pastry chef.

Meat collab / The Crystal Grill House x Lady Butcher / Oct 18

The Crystal Grill House on the Chao Phraya River welcomes Lady Butcher aka chef Natsasi “Natt” Noo-in for a six-course culinary journey and wine pairing on Oct. The six-course set menu will showcase a selection of cuts of beef, including: Isan avocado deviled eggs, Beef carpaccio ‘laab de Paris, Silken bone broth with wild tamarind and fire-roasted chilies, Mok nue sun nok, Côte de bœuf ‘kaeng rawang’ and Honey truffle ice cream sandwich.

Trattoria tour / Appia × Mazzo / Oct 15-16

For two evenings only, Appia will welcome chefs Francesca Barreca and Marco Baccanelli of Mazzo, Rome, a trattoria celebrated for its bold, modern take on Roman classics. Together with Appia’s team, they will present a one-off multi-course menu showcasing the flavours of Rome in their unique style.

20-year anniversary / Richard Koh Fine Art x Natee Utarit / Until Oct 25

Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) presents “20+20”, a solo exhibition of selected works by artist Natee Utarit, staged across the gallery’s three locations in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition celebrates 20 years of RKFA’s journey. Within this wider journey, Natee has been one of the gallery’s earliest and most consistent collaborators. His practice, known for interrogating classical Western painting traditions while engaging with the cultural, philosophical and sociopolitical realities of Southeast Asia, has made a vital contribution to critical conversations in the region. “20X20” underscores the geographical reach of the gallery and the depth of his artistic journey. It brings together a selection of works, drawn from past and recent series, that have passed through the gallery’s hands over the last two decades.

Making a mark / noble Play / Oct 10 to Jan 10, 2026

333Artlink will host the ‘Make A Mark ?????????’ exhibition running from Oct 10 to Jan 10, 2026 at noble Play at BTS Phloen Chit. The exhibition explores the power of graffiti and street art as the ‘language of the city’, a means of telling stories, raising questions and creating new meaning within the context of contemporary urban society. Sixteen artists have come together, walking through the Phloen Chit neighbourhood to collect traces of the city and found objects that reflect everyday urban life. These materials have been transformed into works of art, turning the exhibition space into a ‘miniature city’ that records the stories of its people. The exhibition is an immersive, participatory experience with 16 graffiti walls, an Art Market, a DJ Party with free drinks and a graffiti workshop. Through interactive activities, audiences can ‘leave their mark’ within the space. Each artwork becomes a layering of the artist’s expression, the city’s traces and the audience’s participation, collectively creating new meaning and transforming the gallery into a shared space for dialogue.

Haunted house in Bang Na / Megabangna / Until Oct 31

Megabangna welcomes Halloween with “Mega Halloween 2025: The Scream Lab” created in collaboration with Mega Cineplex. The Scream Lab takes brave souls on a journey filled with shocks, screams and supernatural surprises. The event unfolds in two phases. Throughout, customers can get into the Halloween spirit by exploring and taking photos with The Scream Lab. Then, from Oct 17-31, the true challenge begins as thrill-seekers are invited to take part in an Escape Room-like adventure. Participants will walk into an abandoned lab sealed off after a mysterious tragedy 20 years ago, now reopened for the first time this Halloween. In this mission, they play as rescue team members tasked with shutting down the lab and uncovering a hidden four-digit code to escape. Inside, four rooms reveal the dark secrets and revenges that have long been buried. The Escape Room experience is, however, an exclusive privilege for Mega Smile Rewards members only. Participants can collect their admission tickets in person one hour before the session at the main entrance by registering through the Megabangna application, free of charge. The first 100 participants each day who successfully survive the four rooms will also receive a complimentary movie ticket from Mega Cineplex.

STUFF

New single / Star2 / Oct 10

The first listen for “Kokaine” from San Diego-based hip-hop artist and Thai refugee Star2 is being released on Oct 10. ‘I’m addicted to your love like that Kokaine…’ Teaming up with fellow refugee artists Eh La and Tae Tae, the track is a fiery creation that blends English and Thai lyrics over a hypnotic, hard-hitting beat. The track is groovy yet volatile, pulling listeners into the rush of a love that feels as dangerous as it is irresistible. Laced with frustration and raw honesty, ‘Kokaine’ captures the push and pull of a toxic relationship.The heavy production underscores the anger and tension, giving the song a dramatic edge. Star2 was born in Mae La refugee camp in Thailand and is on a mission to use his music to amplify voices from his community. Star2 continues to bring this perspective to his music, curating collaborations that feel both global and deeply personal. Listen to “Kokaine” here: //s.disco.ac/ hzybdvguoezr.

New collection / Ikea Thailand

Ikea Thailand has launched the Sandlöpare collection, a fun and educational range inspired by the wildlife of the African savanna. With the launch, Ikea Thailand has partnered with the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, a long-standing organisation dedicated to wildlife and nature conservation. Until Nov 1, Ikea will donate B100 per Sandlöpare soft toy sold to support the protection of large forest habitats, biodiversity and endangered species. Customers who purchase products from the Sandlöpare collection can enjoy free ice cream throughout the month, along with special furniture promotions. Children can join the ‘Little Artists’ Corner’ every Saturday at Ikea Bangna, Bang Yai and Sukhumvit, enjoy face-painting activities on Oct 4-5 and explore the wonders of Thailand’s protected wildlife in Edutainment Sessions with the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation on Oct 11 at Ikea Bangna and on Oct 18 at Ikea Bangyai.

New collab / H and M x Lorena Saravia / From Oct 16

On Oct 16, H and M will launch its latest collaboration with the celebrated Mexican fashion designer Lorena Saravia. The collection showcases the designer’s signature sensibility, characterised by an empowering, contemporary spirit and a deep connection to her heritage. The 29-piece collection balances the strength of structured silhouettes, such as Saravia’s best-selling denim jacket and denim chaps, with sensual evening styles, including draped blouses and backless gowns. Urban and versatile, an undeniable tribute to Mexico plays out in the workwear fabrics, craft-like details, and cowboy boots. Accessories layer the collection with stories and character. Saravia’s grandmother’s lion earrings served as the model for the earrings and buttons, while the brown suede cowboy boots, broad-brimmed hat and decorative belt add unmistakable flair. Available in selected stores and online.

Major Muji / Central World / Nov 28

Muji Thailand is gearing up to launch its new store at CentralWorld as its largest flagship store in Southeast Asia. The 40th store aims to become a must-visit destination for Thai shoppers and international visitors alike. Set to officially open on Nov 28, on the 4th floor, Zone I of CentralWorld, it promises a shopping experience on par with Muji’s flagship stores in Japan. Spanning more than 3,700m², it brings together Muji’s full product range available in Thailand, all thoughtfully curated under one roof, with a reimagined store layout designed to elevate the shopping journey through interactive and experiential zones. With the concept of ‘Muji Meets Thai Way Of Living’, the store showcases how Muji products can seamlessly blend into local lifestyles, while its design is infused with subtle touches of Thai aesthetics. Besides retail, the store aims to be a community hub, offering creative and cultural spaces that encourage people who share common interests in design, art and sustainability to gather and exchange ideas. Doesn’t CentralWorld already have a Muji store, you ask? Yes, the one on the fourth floor, located in the department store part, will remain open as usual.

New colour / Rimowa

Rimowa has introduced Ballerina Pink as its new seasonal colour. The delicate, light-pink shade graces Rimowa’s iconic Essential collection and Travel Accessories. Crafted from premium polycarbonate, the Essential range is expertly colour-matched, from the handle and zipper to the badge and wheel housing, for a seamless, monochromatic appearance. The new colour can be found in various products, from a cross-body bag, toiletry pouch, iPhone cases and cabin luggage.

STAY

Winter escape / Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort / Until Dec 26

As the cool winter air settles over Northern Thailand, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort has launched the “La Fête” winter package. The resort presents a distinct selection of activities and discoveries to enrich the guest experience. Every Friday to Sunday, guests can relax on the Favola Deck and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the river while enjoying good music, delicious food, and refreshing drinks. Marshmallow Night will be hosted at The Fire Pit and includes a marshmallow set for roasting over a crackling fire and two cups of hot chocolate. Participate in a traditional Buddhist ritual every Saturday by offering food to nine monks and receiving a blessing. Basic yoga and sound healing on Sundays help relaxation and restore energy.

More flights / Air Canada / From Oct 28

Air Canada will extend the Bangkok-Vancouver route from a seasonal schedule to year-round service, with year-round operations commencing on Oct 28. Thai travellers can experience Canada at its best in every season. Air Canada has carefully designed its Bangkok-Vancouver schedule to maximize passenger convenience. Early morning arrivals in Vancouver, with late-night departures from Vancouver offer flexibility. Onboard there are a choice of three classes: Air Canada Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy. Passengers travelling in all cabins can benefit from Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty programme, which allows members to earn and redeem points across the Star Alliance. Additional perks include free Wi-Fi messaging on select flights, with full free Wi-Fi scheduled to roll out across the international network by 2026.

New hotel / Aman Singapore

Aman has announced Aman Singapore, a forthcoming urban sanctuary that will redefine the city’s ultra-luxury landscape. Aman Singapore will be situated within The Skywaters, set to be Singapore’s tallest and most iconic new skyscraper. The Skywaters will rise from a rare island site at the convergence of Singapore’s Central Business District, Marina Bay, and the future Greater Southern Waterfront. Aman Singapore will feature elegant interiors and harmonious design, encompassing the global Aman Club, as well as Aman Residences. A dedicated floor of meticulously crafted and spacious hotel suites will offer sweeping views of Singapore’s iconic metropolis.

The new governor of the Bank of Thailand has vowed to focus more on targeted measures alongside monetary policy to deliver tangible results and provide meaningful support to the public.

Vitai Ratanakorn, the chief of the central bank, said the regulator aims to continue implementing targeted measures to support the economy, while maintaining financial stability and addressing specific issues. These measures will complement the central bank’s monetary policy to enhance overall effectiveness, he said.

‘Addressing household debt is a priority for all relevant agencies, including the central bank, the government, the Finance Ministry, and financial institutions,’ said Mr Vitai.

‘Debt resolution via asset management companies [AMCs] should be based on a social AMC model to efficiently assist household borrowers. The AMC approach is expected to be finalised this month, with implementation scheduled for early next year.’

Under the Finance Ministry’s guidance for resolving household debt via the AMC mechanism, the government is primarily focused on borrowers classified as non-performing loans (NPLs), with a maximum debt of 100,000 baht per debtor. This definition would cover more than 2 million NPL borrowers.

Mr Vitai said eligible NPLs would come from four types of lenders: commercial banks, specialised financial institutions (SFIs), non-banks affiliated with banks, and standalone non-banks. The debt resolution will be implemented in phases.

Initially, the programme will address NPLs from banks, bank affiliates, and SFIs. NPLs from banks and their subsidiaries will be managed by the state-owned Sukhumvit Asset Management, while SFIs’ bad debts will be handled by Ari AMC, the joint-venture AMC, which is a collaboration between Government Savings Bank and Bangkok Commercial Asset Management.

In addition, Mr Vitai said the central bank has no plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund, as such a financial tool would not help mitigate baht appreciation.

The regulator typically manages the exchange rate through foreign reserves and overseas investments in US dollars.

Year-to-date the baht has appreciated by 4.5% against the US dollar, easing from an 8% appreciation recently.

In separate news, the Thai Bankers’ Association has called for the development of an individual credit scoring system to build a stronger credit culture, promote financial discipline, and encourage responsible lending and borrowing as part of efforts to address household debt.

Under this proposal, all types of loan service providers, including savings cooperatives and the Student Loan Fund, would be required to report borrowers’ credit data to the National Credit Bureau. This initiative is expected to improve data sharing across the country’s financial system, said Piti Tantakasem, chief executive of TMB Thanachart Bank, which oversees debt resolution under the TBA’s roadmap.

Imprisoned former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra could serve as an English teacher for fellow inmates, according to Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongseenin, director-general of the Department of Corrections.

He said the 76-year-old former premier is likely to be assigned to an education programme, such as teaching English to inmates, rather than doing physical labour, given his age, when asked about the possibility of Thaksin taking part in community service.

Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, also a former prime minister, recently suggested that her father might be assigned to oversee a drain cleaning project, but prison officials said he had not been behind bars long enough to qualify for outside work.

Pol Lt Col Prawut said it is still unclear when a work assignment could begin, as it must proceed in accordance with prison regulations.

He declined to comment on Thaksin’s application for a second royal pardon, saying only that it would follow legal procedures. Both the current justice minister and his predecessor reportedly have vetoed the idea.

A Corrections Department source said that inmates seeking sentence suspension generally must serve at least two-thirds of their sentence, but those aged over 70 can apply after doing at least one-third of their time, or six months, whichever is longer.

Such applications are reviewed by a committee that meets once a month, the source said, adding that the regulations involving sentence suspension apply to all inmates.

Nearly six decades after its founding, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) finds itself back where it began — divided, uncertain, and vulnerable to the influence of major powers. Once hailed as a model for regional cooperation in the developing world, Asean now faces a crisis of purpose. Unless it can rediscover the unity and collective way forward that defined its early decades, Southeast Asia’s flagship institution risks slipping into irrelevance.

Asean’s first two decades were marked by pragmatic unity. Born amid Cold War rivalries and regional instability, the grouping managed to strike a delicate balance between national sovereignty and collective purpose. Its guiding principles — non-interference in domestic affairs of fellow member states and consensus-based decision-making — kept peace within the bloc and allowed each other to focus on economic development.

By the 1990s, Asean had transformed itself into a regional leader. It helped launch the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in 1989, created the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) in 1992, and established the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) in 1994 to promote dialogue and security cooperation. Even after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, Asean pressed on with new initiatives such as Asean Plus Three and, later, the East Asia Summit in 2005 — a bold attempt to include all major Indo-Pacific powers under one diplomatic umbrella.

This was the high point of what became known as “Asean Centrality” — the idea that the region’s strategic balance revolved around Asean-led mechanisms and the grouping’s convening authority. The formation of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in 2006 and its expanded ADMM-Plus in 2010 underscored Asean’s role as the convener and consensus-builder of Asia’s security architecture.

But cracks soon appeared. In 2012, under Cambodia’s chairmanship, Asean failed to issue a joint communiqué for the first time in its history. The cause was the South China Sea dispute — specifically, disagreements over China’s assertive maritime claims. Beijing’s growing power, coupled with economic dependence among some Asean members, splintered the bloc’s unity. That same year, President Xi Jinping rose to power and unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a sweeping global infrastructure and trade strategy that expanded China’s influence across Asia.

For Southeast Asia, the BRI brought roads, ports, and investment — but also debt, dependency, and strategic vulnerability. The external pressures mounted as global events intensified: the US-China rivalry hardened; Myanmar descended into civil war after the 2021 coup; Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict divided member states along political and religious lines. The once-cohesive Asean now finds itself paralysed by internal divisions and external shocks.

No issue illustrates Asean’s weakness more starkly than the crisis in Myanmar. Nearly five years since the coup, the junta — rebranded as the State Security and Peace Commission — has been unable to consolidate its seizure of power. Resistance forces, including the National Unity Government (NUG), People’s Defence Forces (PDF), and a range of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs), now control large swaths of territory representing more than half of the country.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance — comprising the Kokang, Ta’ang, and Arakan Armies — has become the most effective military coalition. China, meanwhile, maintains deep ties with ethnic forces in Shan and Kachin states while protecting its own interests in ports, pipelines, and cross-border trade routes. For Beijing, Myanmar’s collapse into fragmentation poses a security risk.

Beijing has thus backed the junta’s plan to hold elections in December 2025 and January 2026 in pursuit of a semblance of order under its watch. But for the vast majority of Myanmar citizens, these polls will be a sham. Asean now faces a daunting dilemma of engaging the junta and legitimising it or standing aside and thereby ceding influence entirely to China.

The United States, distracted elsewhere, has dialled back support for Myanmar’s anti-coup resistance. Without sustained backing, the NUG and EAOs outside China’s orbit may lose momentum. If that happens, Myanmar’s fate — and by extension Asean’s credibility — may well be decided in Beijing. Malaysia, as Asean chair this year and the Philippines and Singapore in 2026-27, will need to take the lead in reshaping Asean’s engagement. The Five-Point Consensus has failed. A new approach — one that fosters dialogue, power-sharing, and humanitarian relief — is urgently needed.

As if Myanmar were not enough, Asean in 2025 faced its gravest intra-regional crisis yet, namely a border war between Thailand and Cambodia. In five days of fighting in late July along an 800-kilometre frontier, both sides deployed war-grade weaponry, resulting in at least 43 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and more than 300,000 displaced civilians. Ironically, Asean itself was born in 1967 partly to prevent such intramural conflicts, following Indonesia and Malaysia’s Konfrontasi clash. Yet six decades later, an intra-Asean war has erupted — shaking the bloc’s core foundations.

A fragile ceasefire was achieved only after US intervention. Under the Putrajaya Agreement, both sides agreed to halt hostilities amid threats from US President Donald Trump to suspend tariff talks. Subsequent Asean-brokered negotiations in Kuala Lumpur produced a 13-point truce, but tensions remain high. Worryingly, nationalist sentiments are intensifying on both sides. Unless Asean deploys peacekeepers — not just observers — renewed conflict is a real risk.

Between the fires of Myanmar’s civil war and the Thai-Cambodian confrontation, Asean now faces its most dangerous period since its founding. The addition of Timor-Leste as a new and 11th member will also dilute the group’s cohesion. Beset by internal conflict and external competition, the organisation must act decisively to preserve what remains of its unity and central regional role.

If it cannot, Asean risks becoming a hollow shell — an institution that still holds meetings and issues statements, but no longer shapes outcomes. The immediate challenge is to undertake urgent reform or risk irrelevance. That Asean remains Southeast Asia’s one and only agency on the international stage should behove and prompt member states to close ranks and enact a major internal shake-up.

Isi Fitikefu will return to the ONE Championship ring against Dzhabir Dzhabrailov at ONE Fight Night 38 on December 6, a source told the Bangkok Post.

The three-round welterweight MMA bout will air from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, live in US primetime on Prime Video on December 5.

Fitikefu, a training partner of former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, is riding a two-fight win streak in the promotion. He had been set to face ex-ONE welterweight titleholder Zebaztian Kadestam earlier this year in what appeared to be a title eliminator, before the fight was cancelled at the last moment after Kadestam failed hydration.

The Swede was later taken to hospital for issues related to his weight cut, with ONE Championship’s head doctor, Warren Wang, determining during the three-hour testing window that Kadestam was too dehydrated to attempt another pass.

Fitikefu told the Bangkok Post at the time he was ‘disappointed and just wanted to fight’. Whittaker had even flown to Bangkok to corner him.

Kadestam moved up to middleweight last weekend at ONE Fight Night 36, losing by second-round TKO to former two-division champion Aung La N Sang.

His latest opponent, Dzhabrailov, is one of the promotion’s most explosive young talents.

The 20-year-old Turkish fighter has won all three of his ONE bouts by first-round knockout – the first two inside 20 and 47 seconds respectively, and the longest lasting just 1 minute 43 seconds.

After earning his contract through the ONE Friday Fights series, Dzhabrailov made his Prime Video debut in June with another first-round finish of Nicolas Vigna. He missed weight for that lightweight bout, though, and has since elected to move up to welterweight.

ONE Fight Night 38 will be headlined by bantamweight MMA champion Fabricio Andrade defending his title against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu. A second world title will also be on the line as Brazil’s Diogo ‘Baby Shark’ Reis faces Japan’s Daiki Yonekura for the inaugural flyweight submission grappling belt.

Legendary British Muay Thai fighter Liam Harrison will also make his long-awaited return in a bantamweight kickboxing contest against Shinji Suzuki, ending a brief retirement after a loss to Seksan in Denver at ONE 168 in September 2024.

Recent geopolitical developments have underscored the fragility of global supply chains, reminding businesses in constantly evolving sectors like consumer goods and fashion that the strength of supplier relationships is one of the few persistent sources of resilience. Maintaining such relationships through responsible purchasing is not only ethical but strategically necessary.

The fashion industry is one of many that is feeling the weight of tariffs — disruptions that come at a time when it is struggling to make progress toward previously stated climate and sustainability goals. According to a 2025 benchmarking survey by the US Fashion Industry Association, 100% of 25 leading apparel brands and retailers identified the current administration’s protectionist stance and volatile trade relationships as a top challenge, and more than half flagged policy uncertainty, especially retaliatory tariffs, as their primary concern.

Rather than responding with short-term cost-cutting, though, major consumer-goods companies are making strategic investments to build resilience. For example, retailers like Walmart and Target have front-loaded inventory to absorb tariff shocks ahead of the holiday season, and Apple chartered cargo flights to transport 1.5 million iPhones from India, an option made possible by increasing production with a key supplier.

These are not just logistical moves; they are evidence of why trust-based, responsive supply-chain relationships matter. Responsible purchasing practices are the glue that holds supply chains together in uncertain times. Gartner reports that nearly half of large enterprises have renegotiated supplier contracts or shifted sourcing strategies to manage risks associated with the tariffs. Such trends reflect a growing consensus: resilient, transparent, and values-aligned supply chains are key to avoiding major disruptions and maintaining competitiveness.

Unfortunately, the fashion sector is a laggard in this regard, scoring just 66 out of 100 in Cascale’s Better Buying 2025 Garment Industry Scorecard, with year-on-year declines in key areas of responsible purchasing, including cost negotiation, payment terms, and product development.

The trend is also concerning for its climate implications. The fashion industry, with its complex global supply chains, is particularly vulnerable to such ripple effects. The US tariffs that went into effect on Aug 7 directly affect sourcing hubs with an outsized influence on the industry’s carbon footprint. Cascale finds that just 1,800 factories in nine countries account for over 80% of measured carbon emissions from the apparel, textile, and footwear industries. Of these, six countries — China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Turkey, and Pakistan — have been directly affected by the new tariffs.

Shifting sourcing away from these hubs might avoid short-term tariff costs. But it could also disrupt ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from these major sources.

We saw this in 2018, when tariffs against China drove a production surge in Vietnam. Since it typically takes an average of 14 months for brands to add new suppliers, such rapid shifts cause a ripple effect: labour violations, longer lead times, and quality issues. Without coordinated planning, they risk undermining climate goals and working conditions alike.

Though fashion is a $3 trillion (97.8 trillion baht) industry, it is expected to have only a minimal formal presence at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). COP30 will focus more on adaptation finance, carbon pricing, and nature-based strategies than on redrawing trade or sourcing lines.

In short, COP30 will not offer any direct relief on tariffs, but it could shape the long-term rules of the game, linking sustainability targets, sourcing practices, and competitiveness factors through policy levers that lie beyond the fashion industry’s immediate control.

As trade-related costs persist, industry leaders must shift their mindset. Their businesses’ resilience will not come from diplomacy or a presidential handshake, but from trust-based relationships, fair purchasing practices, and innovations to drive sustainability.

Companies that default to price-driven strategies risk eroding their ability to deliver quality, speed, and innovation to today’s conscientious consumer.

At a time when tariffs and climate-related shifts can alter sourcing strategies overnight, resilient partnerships are more than operational tools. They are strategic differentiators, signalling accountability, stability, and ethical leadership to a growing list of stakeholders who are thinking about the long term.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon and mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran advanced to the quarter-finals of the US$475,000 (approx 15.2 million baht) BWF Arctic Open in Finland on Thursday.

Kunlavut proved too strong for Yushi Tanaka as the Thai top seed moved past the Japanese world No.26 with a 21-13, 21-14 win in 46 minutes.

He will play either Tharun Mannepalli of India or Koki Watanabe of Japan for a place in the semi-finals of the World Tour Super 500 event.

In the mixed doubles, third seeds Dechapol and Supissara defeated Czech pair Ondrej Kral and Tereza Svabikova 21-15, 21-16 in 36 minutes. They will play fifth seeds Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai of Malaysia next.

Dechapol and Supissara teamed up for the first time at this tournament last year and reached the last 16. After 12 months, they are now chasing their fifth World Tour title of 2025 and seventh overall.

Women’s singles hope Ratchanok progressed with a commanding 21-9, 21-8 win over Tanya Hemanth of India.

The second-seeded Thai will play seventh seed Chiu Pin-chian of Taiwan in the last eight on Friday. Chiu edged past Kristin Kuuba of Estonia 16-21, 21-10, 21-11.

Another women’s singles player, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, was scheduled to meet Line Christophersen of Denmark in a late match.

While mixed pair, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, were also set to play their last-16 match against Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch of Denmark later on Thursday.

In other early results on Thursday, men’s fifth seed Kodai Naraoka defeated Lee Chia-hao of Taiwan 21-13, 21-16 while women’s eighth seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark downed Han Qianxi of China 21-14, 21-13.