30-day visa exemption for Thailand approved for Saudi tourists

14 Sept 03:07 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's cabinet approved a 30-day visa exemption for Saudi tourists, allowing them to visit without prior visa applications.
This initiative is expected to significantly increase Saudi tourist arrivals from 30,000 to 100,000-150,000 annually, potentially generating five billion baht in revenue.
The visa exemption follows the normalization of diplomatic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, after a three-decade suspension.
Saudi tourists, known for traveling in large families and being high spenders, are a key target for Thailand's tourism sector.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 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.