Thai travel agent organisations welcome visa exemption for Chinese

23 Sept 02:00 Key points summarised by AI

Thai travel agents enthusiastically support the government's proposed visa exemption for Chinese tourists, anticipating a surge in arrivals, especially if implemented by October 1st to coincide with Chinese National Day holidays.
Industry leaders believe this measure will streamline travel, as current visa processes are slow, and could help Thailand achieve its target of five million Chinese visitors this year.
While welcoming the move, some agents express concerns about tourist safety from criminal gangs, and others doubt a pre-COVID level return due to China's economic slowdown and travel restrictions.
External critics caution that the visa exemption could lead to a resurgence of 'Zero Dollar' tours and potentially facilitate illegal 'grey business' activities in Thailand.

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.