Thai economy shows signs of strong recovery despite debt concerns - Commerce minister
AI In-Brief
Thailand News in Brief
Thai PBS World
Thailand and the world, every day
AI can make mistakes. Please double-check.
Thai economy shows signs of strong recovery despite debt concerns - Commerce minister
13 Sept 19:48Key points summarised by AI
The Thai economy demonstrated a strong recovery in 2024, primarily fueled by robust exports, a significant increase in tourism, and expanding domestic investment projects.
Key economic indicators include a 5.4% export growth in 2024, a 13.6% surge in January 2025, and international tourist arrivals reaching 36 million in 2024, projected to hit 39 million in 2025.
Domestic investment projects expanded by 1.14% in 2024, with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) further boosting two-way trade and enhancing export prospects.
Despite positive economic momentum, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan stressed the critical need for immediate, integrated action to tackle persistent household and informal debt issues to stimulate consumer spending and overall economic growth.
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.