Ayutthaya annually hosts the World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony (March 16-17), drawing global enthusiasts to honor masters and immerse themselves in the deep historical roots and traditions of Thailand's national martial art.
The festival offers an immersive experience with demonstrations of traditional Muay Thai styles, hands-on training from various camps, and unique challenges like the legendary Banana Trunk Kicking.
Visitors can delve into Thai heritage through sacred traditions such as Sak Yant tattooing, observe Aranyik sword forging, witness self-defense demonstrations, and savor Ayutthaya's signature local cuisine amidst vibrant cultural performances.
This event highlights Muay Thai's growing global appeal, blending authentic training opportunities with tourism, solidifying Ayutthaya's role as a crucial destination for practitioners and fans worldwide.
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.