Thailand sees 146% rise in foreign arrivals over same period last year

17 Sept 11:13 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand recorded a significant 146% increase in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching 10 million visitors by April 9th this year, with Chinese tourists forming the largest group.
The surge is attributed to the government's visa-free policies and efficient immigration procedures, with further growth and an estimated 100 billion baht in spending anticipated during the Songkran holiday.

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.