Thai children spend more time staring at screens than WHO’s recommended limit

13 Sept 17:54 Key points summarised by AI

Thai children significantly exceed the World Health Organisation's (WHO) screen time recommendations, averaging 35 hours weekly, more than double the 16-hour limit.
The increase in screen time, driven by COVID-19 school closures and parental work, has led to concerns from health authorities about rising smartphone addiction and its negative impact on child development.
Surveys indicate that 60% of Thai children aged 6-18 are addicted to online games, spending over three hours daily, which puts them at risk of aggressive behavior, gambling addictions, and mental health issues.
Health experts recommend no smartphone use for children under two and a maximum of one hour daily for older children, urging parents to promote physical activities and engage in shared family time to mitigate addiction risks.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Today 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.