Huawei held the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the 2025-2026 ICT Competition Global Final in Shenzhen, China on July 9, marking the largest participation in the competition's history and highlighting its commitment to developing digital talent and advancing artificial intelligence skills for the future digital economy.

This year's competition drew students and faculty from over 2,000 higher education institutions across more than 100 countries and regions, with 220,000 registrations narrowed down to 177 teams from 49 countries and regions for the global finals.

On the occasion of the Huawei ICT Competition's 10th anniversary, 18 teams from 8 countries—China, Nigeria, Singapore, Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic—won Grand Prize awards across three competition categories: Practice Competition, Innovation Competition, and Programming Competition.

Huawei also presented special awards recognizing outstanding achievements. The Women in Tech Award went to seven all-female teams from Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Kenya, China, and Bahrain, while the Green Development Award was given to two teams from Ghana and China. Ten Chinese students earned entry into the Huawei Future Business Leader Track, while 16 outstanding instructors from 9 countries and regions—including Thailand—received the Most Valuable Instructor Award. Six additional teams from Egypt, Brazil, Malaysia, Poland, and Pakistan won the ICT Competition Online Popularity Award.

The awards ceremony was honored by diplomatic representatives from 11 countries, including ambassadors, consuls general, and senior diplomatic advisors, who presented awards to winners from their respective nations.

Ritchie Peng, Head of ICT Strategy and Business Development at Huawei, stated that the ICT Competition reflects Huawei's commitment to using technology to create social value and promote sustainable development. He highlighted how the Innovation Competition showcased the potential of hands-on learning to solve real-world problems, while participants in the Practice and Programming categories demonstrated outstanding knowledge-seeking, determination, and technical expertise.

Peng also announced a new competition category, the Ascend AI Operator Development Track, for the next competition in China, designed to help next-generation developers learn and develop AI skills through challenges connected to cutting-edge industry technology.

Dr. Shafika Isaacs, Acting Director of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and Head of Technology and AI for Education, noted that future AI development requires collaboration among governments, international organizations, educational institutions, and industry. She commended participants for effectively applying emerging technologies to solve real problems, create innovation, and work across cultural boundaries.

During the event, Huawei also organized the AI Accelerating Education Transformation Summit.

Agriculture Minister Suriya Juengrungruangkit announced his official visit to Malaysia on July 9-10, 2025, to Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, traveling with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister. He met Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to jointly sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between Thailand's Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

The MOU will serve as a critical mechanism to strengthen coordination and dialogue between the two countries on academic cooperation, knowledge and technology exchange, and agricultural innovation. It will also address trade issues and sanitary and phytosanitary measures affecting agricultural products, aiming for concrete results that benefit both nations.

Discussions also covered agricultural trade between Thailand and Malaysia. Technical-level discussions from the previous week addressed both fisheries and livestock sectors. Regarding fisheries, both sides established a timeline for system inspections to be conducted in July. Thai and Malaysian technical agencies will engage in close collaboration to accelerate resolution of pending trade issues.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has issued a statement denying involvement with underground clubs following raids in Bangkok's Ratchadamri district, where authorities apprehended operators of illegal entertainment venues. The organization firmly stated it does not support or protect unlawful activities.

On July 9, 2025, the KNLA issued the clarification after some media outlets reported alleged links between Bangkok-based businesses and the KNLA or individuals purportedly connected to it. The organization sought to prevent misunderstandings that could affect the public and damage its longstanding good relations with Thai authorities.

The KNLA's statement outlined five key points. First, it emphasized that multiple Karen groups operate independently from the Karen National Union (KNU), including DKBA, KNU-KNLA-PC, BGF, and KPF, each with separate leadership and policies. Simply claiming someone is "Karen" is insufficient to establish KNLA membership; proper verification through official channels is required.

Second, the KNLA noted that no identified individuals or verified evidence has been presented confirming any alleged person's connection to the organization. Linking the group to individuals' actions without proven facts risks unfairly damaging the organization's reputation. Claims of KNLA affiliation require documented evidence of membership status, command relationships, or official authorization, not mere association with outsiders.

Third, the KNLA stated it welcomes Thai authorities to share any verified evidence through appropriate channels and is prepared to investigate and cooperate on information exchange to prevent anyone from misusing the KNLA's name to commit crimes under Thai law.

Fourth, regarding allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational crime, the KNLA stressed it has no policy supporting such activities and does not protect illegal conduct in any form. Individual criminal actions cannot be attributed to the organization.

Finally, the KNLA acknowledged the importance of combating narcotics, human trafficking, money laundering, and transnational crime to regional security and safety, and expressed readiness to coordinate with relevant authorities on these matters.

After a decade-long absence, the Thung Saeng Tawan team returned to Lhay Kaew community in 2026 to engage with elders and understand the lifestyle systems within the Pwo Karen settlement on Doi Tao in Chiang Mai. Morning sunlight filters through the homes as smoke drifts from cooking fires. The Pwo Karen culture centers on extended families, with newly married children building houses near their parents' homes, creating tight-knit clusters of relatives within earshot of one another.

Elderly residents gather under the houses to socialize, some chewing betel nut while discussing local news, while nearby young women quietly work at looms. In the past, weaving was passed down from mother to child out of necessity, but traditional knowledge nearly vanished with the arrival of roads, markets, and cheap commercial textiles. Fortunately, a revival of natural dye techniques and modern designs has rekindled interest in traditional weaving among younger generations, providing income without requiring them to seek work outside the village.

Karen families prepare rice offerings for elders and provide daily care to aging relatives who live nearby. As they enter their final years, most elders in their 70s and 80s show a peaceful acceptance of life, famously expressed by one 86-year-old grandmother who says, "Old age comes, whether we like it or not." Most elders prepare traditional clothing and household items for their eventual passing, viewing it as an ancient practice. They spend their days spinning cotton, greeting visitors, and enjoying the simplicity of daily life without worry about the future.

The quiet community becomes lively during periodic markets when vendors from the lowlands drive up to sell food, supplies, and clothing. Even elderly residents with mobility issues make the effort to attend these gatherings for brief respite and social connection.

The entertainment world mourns the loss of acclaimed veteran actress Namngern Boonhak, who passed away peacefully at age 86. With an extensive filmography in television and cinema, she was celebrated for her exceptional acting talent and beloved by performers and crews across generations.

Namngern Boonhak, born Suang Charuwijit on January 24, 1940, entered show business in 1955 with encouragement from Songsakangkhak Tikamphon. Her first film was "Sapassuwan" in 1956. She rose to prominence through the 1958 film "Chati Suea," co-starring Mit Chaibancha and Rewadee Sirivai, followed by numerous subsequent works.

She received a Prasatsurussawadee Award (Golden Kinnaree) for Outstanding Supporting Actress for "Miss Poradok" in 1965 and a Golden Kinnaree Award in the same category for "Kaweaw" in 1966 from the Royal Bestowment. She gained renewed recognition as Krasue Yai Sai in the 1994 Channel 7 series "Krasue" and as Khun Khon in the 1995 Channel 7 drama "Monruk Luk Thoong."

Beyond acting, Namngern achieved notable success as a voice actress, famously voicing Grandmother Willow in Disney's animated films "Pocahontas" (1995) and "Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World" (1998). She retired from acting in 2025 after her final performance in the Channel 3 HD drama "Saen Rak," concluding a 70-year entertainment career. She later faced health challenges and received medical support from the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation before her passing on July 9, 2026, at age 86.

Prominent actress Lukkade-Metinee Kingporm expressed overwhelming pride and shed tears of joy after learning that her son, Sky Kingporm Sharpless, has been selected for Thailand's national swimming team to compete at the 2026 Asian Games.

Sky, the beloved son of renowned supermodel and actress Lukkade-Metinee Kingporm, has earned a spot on Thailand's senior national team for the 2026 Asian Games swimming competition.

Lukkade-Metinee revealed that she feels immensely proud because while Sky had previously made Thailand's youth national team two or three times, this is his first selection to the senior national team for such a major competition. Upon seeing his name on the roster, she screamed and cried with joy, calling it a tremendous source of family pride.

She explained her role in supporting Sky's training, focusing on transportation to practice sessions and providing nutritious meals to help him concentrate fully on training. Noting that Sky typically trains in England while attending school there, she emphasized that having him in Thailand now gives the family an opportunity to provide complete support.

"The important thing is not to put pressure on him, but if he can make the finals at the Asian Games, that would be wonderful. I want him to do his absolute best since this is his first time competing on Asia's biggest sporting stage," Lukkade-Metinee said. She added that entertainment industry friends and extended family are supportive, and the family is proud that Sky will represent Thailand with the national flag.

Sky, who returned from England to join Thailand's national swimming team camp, expressed surprise upon seeing his name selected but credits his hard work and determination for achieving this goal. He stated that he aims to post his best times at the Asian Games and plans to train even harder to maximize his performance in his events.