TAT plans “Rockstar” walking tours of Bangkok’s Chinatown

23 Sept 04:58 Key points summarised by AI

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching new “Rockstar” walking tours in Bangkok’s Chinatown, encompassing Yaowarat, Songwat, and Talad Noi, inspired by Thai K-pop star Lisa’s popular music video.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will enhance Chinatown's atmosphere by replacing footpaths with new tiles featuring a “Bo Tan” flower design and a “Yaowarat must go on” statement.
Lisa’s recently released “Rockstar” music video has significantly driven tourism to Yaowarat Road, with many fans visiting the specific filming locations.
The Thai government plans to leverage the video's immense popularity, praised as a model of “soft power,” to further promote Yaowarat’s famous street food and other cultural attractions.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.