The 13th annual Negroni Week takes place from 22nd to 28th September 2025 with proceeds from participating venues going to charitable causes.
Celebrating mixology culture across bars and restaurants, CAMPARI, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok & Alchemy Thailand hosted the 13th annual Negroni Week Opening Night with special guest bartender “Simone Caporale” one of the most influential figures in modern mixology and the five-time winner of the No.1 spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars with the fundraising proceeds going to charitable partner Slow Food at Caleō.
In 2024, over 13,000 bars and restaurants across nearly 90 countries participated in Negroni Week, helping raise a combined $600.000 that has supported an educational scholarship awarded to 24 industry professionals and 17 community-based projects around the world.
For Negroni Week 2025, the Negroni Week Fund will continue to be distributed by Slow Food to directly support the hospitality community in helping preserve cultural and biological diversity, promoting food and beverage education with knowledge exchange, and fostering equity and wellness.
On the 19th of September 2025, at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Hylife Group led by Mr. Carl P. Singh, Chief Compliance and Procurement Officer, along with Ms. Nintnara Manothip, Group VP of Marketing served as representatives to accept the prestigious award “Top CEO New Generation of the Year 2025” which was presented to Mr. Dhanush R. Nair, Co-Group CEO at the Dailynews Top CEO 2025 event. This serves as a testament to the forward-thinking vision and new-generation leadership dedicated to driving the organisation with innovation and creativity.
Mr. Carl P. Singh stated: “The Top CEO New Generation of the Year 2025 award is not the achievement of one individual, but a reflection of the dedication of every team member who has contributed to Hylife Group’s sustainable growth. I am truly proud to see our collective commitment and efforts recognised on this prestigious stage. This award will serve as a driving force for us to move forward with determination, continuing to create meaningful value for society in the future.”
The award honors next-generation executives who demonstrate clear vision, outstanding adaptability, and the ability to develop strategic approaches suited to today’s dynamic business environment. It also recognises expertise in systematic organisational management that drives business success amid volatility.
This award reaffirms the role of Hylife Group under the leadership of a new generation of executives who drive the organisation with innovation, sustainability, and a genuine commitment to creating value for society. It also reflects the Group’s dedication to continuous development, raising the standards of Thai businesses onto the global stage, inspiring the next generation, and contributing to positive change across both the industry and society.
Police and administrative officials order all activities to cease at Boss Club in South Pattaya during a raid that uncovered drug violations and illegal foreign workers on September 30, 2025.
PATTAYA — Thai Authorities have closed a prominent Walking Street nightclub after its Indian manager allegedly orchestrated a brutal attack on a tourist and threatened him with a firearm over an unpaid bar tab.
Pattaya City Police launched the investigation after receiving a complaint about the manager of Boss Club, located in the heart of South Pattaya’s entertainment district. According to the 33-year-old victim, also an Indian national, the manager had been operating like a mafia figure, using personal bodyguards to assault him and holding a gun to his head when he requested to settle his bill the following day.
The incident is particularly troubling as the victim is known among local establishments as a reliable VIP customer who consistently pays his bills and has never defaulted on payment.
Thai officers from DOPA – Department of Provincial Administration conduct drug tests at Boss Club in South Pattaya district on September 30, 2025.
Massive Raid Uncovers Multiple Violations
The assault sparked widespread concern among tourists and prompted swift action. On September 30, more than 100 officers from district administration, Pattaya City Police, and tourist police raided the venue while approximately 300 Thai and foreign patrons were inside.
Officers halted all activities and conducted comprehensive checks. Drug tests revealed nine employees tested positive for narcotics. Authorities also discovered over 40 foreign workers—including Indian, Myanmar, and Uzbek nationals—operating without proper work permits or holding fraudulent documentation.
Those who tested positive were detained for further processing, while undocumented foreign workers were transferred to immigration police.
Authorities inspect and interview security staff at Boss Club in South Pattaya as part of the investigation into alleged assault and illegal employment violations on September 30, 2025.
Manager Evades Authorities
The manager was absent during the raid and failed to report to police when contacted. District officials responded by ordering the immediate closure of Boss Club and will recommend the provincial governor impose an extended shutdown.
“This is part of our zero-tolerance policy regarding violence against tourists,” officials stated. “We will pursue the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law to deter criminal influence from expanding in the entertainment district.”
Gold Necklace Dispute
Lakshman Singh, President of the Indian Association of Pattaya, said on Tuesday the victim is a premium customer at several Indian clubs in Pattaya who routinely settles bills the next day via bank transfer—a common practice for VIP patrons.
Left: Leg injuries sustained by the 33-year-old Indian victim. Right: The gold necklace at the center of the dispute that led to the assault at Boss Club in South Pattaya on September 26, 2025.
On the night in question, the Boss Club manager invited the victim to the venue and borrowed his gold necklace. When the victim later requested its return, the manager refused unless he paid his drink bill immediately, sparking an argument.
Two security guards then dragged the victim away and beat him with a stick-like object, striking his legs. Another Indian man held a gun to his head demanding immediate payment and confiscated his passport.
The victim received treatment at Pattaya Memorial Hospital before filing a police report. Singh said the incident has left the victim deeply shaken and urged business operators to better protect tourists, especially VIP customers. He called on authorities to prosecute the perpetrators swiftly.
Rescuers pull out a survivor from a collapsed building at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)
SIDOARJO, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers ran oxygen and water to students trapped in the unstable concrete rubble of a collapsed school building in Indonesia, as they desperately worked to free survivors Tuesday a day after the structure fell. At least three students were killed, more than 100 were injured and dozens were presumed buried in the rubble.
Rescue workers, police and soldiers digging through the night pulled out eight weak and injured survivors more than eight hours after the collapse at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in the East Java town of Sidoarjo. Rescuers saw additional bodies, indicating the death toll was likely to rise.
Rescue efforts were temporarily suspended at 10:15 a.m. as the collapsed concrete shook suddenly, indicating another collapse could be imminent. People immediately ran for their lives, some screaming, as rescuers urged everyone in the area to avoid the building, including more than a dozens of ambulances that parked near the scene.
Rescuers search for victims after a building under construction collapsed, at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)
Families of the students gathered at hospitals or near the collapsed building, anxiously awaiting news of their children. Relatives wailed as they watched rescuers pull a dusty, injured student from the buried prayer hall.
A notice board at the command post set up in the boarding school complex listed 65 students as missing as of Tuesday morning. They are mostly boys in grades seven to 11, between the ages of 12 and 17.
“Oh my God… my son is still buried, oh my God please help!” a mother cried hysterically upon seeing her child’s name on the board, followed by the cries of other parents whose relatives had suffered a similar fate.
“Please, sir, please find my child immediately,” cried a father, holding the hand of one of the rescue team members.
Heavy slabs of concrete and other rubble and unstable parts of the building hampered search and rescue efforts, said Nanang Sigit, a search and rescue officer who lead the effort. Heavy equipment was available but not being used due to concerns that it could cause further collapse.
“We have been running oxygen and water to those still trapped under the debris and keeping them alive while we work hard to get them out,” Sigit said. He added that rescuers saw several bodies under the rubble but were focused on saving those who were still alive.
A woman is comforted as she weeps while rescue work is underway after a building collapsed at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)
Several hundred rescuers were involved in the effort and had equipment for breathing, extrication, medical evacuation and other support tools.
The students had been performing afternoon prayers in a building that was undergoing an unauthorized expansion when it suddenly collapsed on top of them, provincial police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast said.
Residents, teachers and administrators assisted injured students, many with head injuries and broken bones. Female students were praying in another part of the building and managed to escape, survivors said.
One male student, a 13-year-old boy, was killed and 102 other students were injured and taken to hospitals, some of them in critical condition, officials said.
Authorities were investigating the cause of the collapse. Abast said the old prayer hall was two stories but two more were being added without a permit.
“The old building’s foundation was apparently unable to support two floors of concrete and collapsed during the pouring process,” Abast said.
Join us for keynote speech by Youssef Nassef, Director of the Adaptation Division at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As he shares his vision on “Shaping the Future of Resilience: A Vision for a Thriving Planet”.
Youssef Nassef has led the adaptation workstreams under the UNFCCC since their inception. He possesses over 30 years of experience in diplomacy and international environmental policy.
He led UNFCCC support for several initiatives on adaptation. These include the inception and support for National Adaptation Programmes of Action and National Adaptation Plans; the Nairobi Work Programme – an international knowledge hub for impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; and the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage. He recently created the Resilience Frontiers initiative which applies foresight for attaining post-2030 resilience.
📅 Date: Friday, 3 October 2025
🕑 Time: 10.00 – 12.00
📍 Venue: SX Grand Plenary Hall, Level G, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
In a buzzing, fast-paced city like Bangkok, travellers are increasingly seeking a space that feels like home. Shama, the serviced apartment brand from ONYX Hospitality Group — a leading hospitality management company with a portfolio spanning hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxury residences — offers the perfect solution. Centrally located, Shama residences combine modern convenience with tranquillity, allowing guests to work, relax, and unwind in a peaceful, thoughtfully designed, home-like environment tucked away from the city’s usual hustle.
Shama creates an environment that balances the dynamism of urban life with the warmth of home, allowing guests to embrace each moment harmoniously. Every apartment is designed as a genuinely liveable space—spacious, light-filled, and comfortable—with well-proportioned layouts and a full suite of amenities, including a kitchen, living room, housekeeping service, concierge, fitness centre, and swimming pool. These features ensure that residents feel truly at home, whether staying for a short visit or a long-term stay.
All Shama properties occupy prime locations, offering seamless access to both business hubs and lifestyle destinations. Through initiatives such as the Shama Social Club and Shama Friends, residents are invited to join a diverse range of activities designed to foster community connections, enhance lifestyles, and enrich day-to-day living. For example, Shama Yen-Akat Bangkok lies between the bustling commercial districts of Silom and Sathorn; Shama Ekamai Bangkok is set in the vibrant Ekkamai–Thonglor neighbourhood with its array of shopping and dining options; while Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok provides a peaceful retreat near Benjakitti Park, with effortless access to the city’s conveniences.
ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hotel management company in Southeast Asia with a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxury residences, is honoured to have been voted “Best Local Hotel Brand – Thailand” at the 34th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2025. This prestigious accolade was determined by readers of TTG Travel Trade Publishing’s print and online titles, including TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTGmice, TTG-BTmice China, TTGassociations, and TTG Asia Luxury.
The award was formally presented and accepted by Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, during the TTG Travel Awards 2025 Ceremony & Gala Dinner on 25th September 2025 at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.
Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, said:
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised as “Best Local Hotel Brand – Thailand” at the TTG Travel Awards 2025. This award is a reflection of the trust and support of our guests, partners, and the travel community. It is also a testament to the dedication of our team members, whose passion for service brings our Tailored Approach to Hospitality to life every day. We remain committed to elevating our brand experiences, expanding our footprint, and shaping the future of hospitality in the region.”
FILE - A "Danger Mines" sign marks an area as Cambodia Mine Action Center, CMAC, staff members work at a minefield in Preytotoeung village, Battambang province, Cambodia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The United States will grant $675,000 for crucial demining programs in Cambodia, the U.S. Embassy said Monday, after a freeze on foreign assistance raised doubts about the future support for mine clearance in the Southeast Asian nation.
An estimated 4 million to 6 million land mines and other unexploded munitions littered Cambodia’s countryside during decades of conflict that began in 1970 and ended in 1998. Since the end of the fighting, nearly 20,000 people have been killed and about 45,000 injured by leftover war explosives, even though Cambodia has a worldwide reputation for an effective demining program.
Washington has contributed over $220 million since 1993 for demining operations and has partnered with the Norwegian People’s Aid and the Cambodian Mine Action Center, the U.S. Embassy said.
FILE – Cambodia Mine Action Center, CMAC, staff members work to demine a minefield in Preytotoeung village, Battambang province, Cambodia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)
Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center, said that soon after February’s aid freeze announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington had issued a waiver allowing $6.36 million in scheduled aid to continue until November 2025.
He said the new funding was for mine clearing operations from November through April 2026. He expressed hope that a recent congressional visit and the signing of the funding agreement demonstrated Washington’s commitment to continued assistance for demining.
Cambodian deminers are among the world’s most experienced, and several thousand have been sent in the past decade under U.N. auspices to work in Africa and the Middle East.
However, neighboring Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting new antipersonnel mines along their border as part of a territorial dispute that led to five days of armed clashes in late July. Cambodia has denied the allegations.
LED screen signs on Walking Street Pattaya are in Chinese.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s tourism sector is facing a double blow as currency appreciation and weakening demand from its largest market converge during what should be peak season.
The country expects just 200,000 Chinese visitors during this year’s Golden Week holiday—down 24% from 262,000 in 2024—with projected revenues falling 17% to 9.1 billion baht ($282.5 million), according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The decline marks an intensifying challenge for an industry already grappling with a 7% drop in overall international arrivals between January and September 2025.
Currency Pressure Mounting
The Thai baht’s persistent strength has emerged as a critical factor driving tourists toward competing destinations. The appreciation has hit hardest in key long-haul markets where exchange rates directly influence travel decisions.
U.S. arrivals dropped 6% to 36,800 in early September as the baht strengthened 7% against the dollar since May. The currency shift has made Thailand significantly more expensive for American travelers—a crucial “super long-haul” segment known for high spending per trip.
Chinese arrivals fell even more sharply, plunging 33% to 205,200 during the same period. While the strong baht contributed to the decline, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool pointed to safety perception issues and fierce regional competition as primary drivers.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool
Competitors Capitalize on Currency Shifts
Japan has become the biggest beneficiary, with the yen’s 15% depreciation slashing travel costs and making it the top destination for Chinese Golden Week travelers. South Korea has added competitive pressure by waiving visas for Chinese tour groups of three or more traveling through approved agencies—a policy running through June 2026.
“Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam are all aggressively competing for Chinese tourists with both pricing and visa strategies,” Thapanee said.
European markets present a contrasting picture. UK arrivals rose 1% to 33,800, Germany climbed 5%, and France gained 3% as the euro and pound strengthened against the baht—making Thailand more affordable for European travelers.
Japanese visitor numbers dropped 6% in early September despite only 1% baht appreciation against the yen, though full-year arrivals are still projected to grow 15-18%.
FILE – Koh Samui remains full of tourists during the first quarter of 2025.
Market Fundamentals Under Strain
Beyond currency pressures, Thailand’s tourism sector is contending with economic headwinds in key source markets, U.S. retaliatory trade tariffs, the Thai-Cambodian border situation, and lingering safety concerns.
China remains Thailand’s top source market despite the decline. Chinese tourists spend an average 6,600 baht per person daily during 6-8 night stays. Some positive signals are emerging: advance flight bookings are up 5% compared to 2024, with 30 additional weekly flights added for Golden Week from cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Kunming.
“Despite current challenges, if Thailand can maintain confidence in safety and travel convenience while promoting diverse tourism offerings, there’s opportunity for recovery,” Thapanee said, pointing to Chinese New Year 2026 as a potential rebound period.
The Golden Week period runs from September 26 to October 8—a 13-day holiday coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival. For Thailand’s tourism industry, it’s becoming a test of resilience amid mounting headwinds.
DRAGONFLY SUMMIT 2025 – ASIA’S MOST TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND WELLNESS SUMMIT RETURNS WITH “FLOW” THEME” A TWO-DAY TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENT BRINGS WORLD-REKNOWNED SPEAKERS AND HOSLISTIC WELLNESS EXPERIENCES TO BANGKOK
BANGKOK– Dragonfly Summit 2025, Asia’s largest leadership development and holistic wellness summit, took place during September 27-28, 2025, at Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
This year’s summit embraced the theme “FLOW,” designed to cultivate balanced positive energy while developing comprehensive leadership potential across physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Operating under the foundational concept “LEAD WELL” – leading with deep understanding and sustainability.
Dragonfly featured world-class speakers in leadership and well-being. The Summit also showcased unique experiential zones, including The Well-nest, presented in partnership with Chiva-Som – our exclusive wellness resort partner and the Bazaar powered by Tri Vananda.
Driving Positive Social Change Through Leadership Development
“Dragonfly Summit 2025” represents Asia’s most comprehensive platform for leadership development and holistic health advancement,” said Pranapada Pornprapha, Founder of Dragonfly360. “Now in its third consecutive year, the summit continued to receive exceptional response from participants, with a 15% increase in total attendance reaching over 3,000 participants. Our mission extends beyond individual transformation – we aim to drive Thailand’s holistic health tourism market, attracting high-quality tourists, business leaders, and executives throughout Asia who contribute significantly to Thailand’s economic growth.”
The organization plans to expand the summit to additional countries while developing specialized leadership training curricula for corporate organizations.
Holistic Leadership Philosophy
“Exceptional leadership requires more than knowledge alone,” explained Woody-Vuthithorn Milintachinda, Co-founder of Dragonfly360. “True leadership emerges from inner strength encompassing understanding, empathy, and compassion. Dragonfly Summit provides a transformative space for participants to release limitations while absorbing positive energy and mutual learning, ultimately leading to meaningful life transformation.
” The summit’s primary objective focuses on empowering attendees to share valuable insights with their families, colleagues, and communities, creating widespread awareness that begins with positive mindset development and builds confidence in personal worth.
A Transformational Experience for Next-Generation Leaders
“Dragonfly Summit transcends traditional conferences – it represents a transformational phenomenon for emerging leaders and a celebration of humanity’s potential for exceptional leadership,” added Cindy-Sirinya Bishop, Co-founder of Dragonfly360. “This unique platform enables participants to discover their authentic selves while developing practical applications for enhanced physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, ultimately leading to successful goal achievement.”
World-Renowned Speaker Lineup
Dragonfly Summit 2025 features distinguished international speakers and thought leaders sharing insights, experiences, and inspiration for personal development:
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: Renowned Tibetan meditation master that helps leaders in “Unlocking Inner Happiness Through Mindful Power”.
Nick Santonastasso: Global inspirational speaker and mindset coach who was born with Hanhart Syndrome.
Maejor: Grammy-winning R&B sound healing and frequency producer, inspired by his personal battle with leukemia and the therapeutic power of music.
Gabrielle Bernstein: Celebrated spiritual teacher and #1 New York Times bestselling author discussing “The Art of Letting Go”.
Matthew Walker: New York Times bestselling author of “Why We Sleep”.
Mo Gawdat: Former Chief Business Officer at Google [X] and AI innovation pioneer.
Ancient Pranayama yoga practices for energy enhancement and mind-body balance.
Ayurvedic sound therapy for deep relaxation, combining breathwork and sound healing for emotional regulation and life energy restoration.
Vision-posture and Chi energy movements for brain stimulation, postural improvement, and physical stability.
WELL-NEST Zone features:
Blueprint of the Soul Human Design Readings: Personalized 1:1 sessions for understanding inner energy and confident life direction.
Ayurveda Dosha Test & Consulting: Personalized lifestyle design for optimal mind-body health balance.
Destiny Matrix: Comprehensive life analysis through Tarot, Chakras, astrology, numerology, and psychology for spiritual code revelation.
Nick Santonastasso
BAZAAR POWERED BY TRI VANANDA presents:
Bee Maze exhibition exploring trust frequencies and unique leadership styles through an interactive journey across eight hexagonal chambers combining games, art, technology, and play.
‘Secrets to Longevity’ and sustainable nature-restoration community visions at Jampa Bar.
Philosophy and values exploration of Tri Vananda’s sustainable wellness community in Phuket, designed for intergenerational living.
Sustainability and Innovation Workshops
Indorama Ventures DIY Workshop transforms PET waste into creative memorabilia, converting recycled water bottles into eco-friendly photo frames. A highlight installation features a large artistic tree constructed from PET bottles and recycled fabric, illustrating the journey of bottle transformation into valuable resources. This reflects Indorama Ventures’ commitment to demonstrating how proper waste separation enables continuous PET bottle recycling, reducing environmental impact while creating concrete business opportunities and employment.
