Visa exemptions for China and Kazakhstan nationals start on September 25

17 Sept 17:48 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand will implement visa exemptions for Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists starting September 25, aiming to significantly boost tourism arrivals by year-end.
This initiative seeks to revive the lagging numbers of Chinese visitors, who fell short of targets, and attract Kazakhstani tourists, especially during their country's harsh winter, with the exemption ending in February for impact assessment.

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.