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British tourists to Thailand targeted by drug gangs offering free booze and cash

10 Sept 07:29 Key points summarised by AI

Criminal gangs are actively targeting British tourists, especially backpackers, in both the UK and Thailand, enticing them with offers of free luxury trips, unlimited alcohol, drugs, and cash (up to £2,000) to act as drug mules.
Victims are often misled by Thailand's 2022 cannabis decriminalization, mistakenly believing all drug use or transport is legal, despite strict laws still applying to other narcotics and severe penalties for international trafficking.
The warning follows recent arrests of British nationals, including Bella Culley and Charlotte May Leek, who were caught smuggling large quantities of drugs after departing from Thailand, highlighting the real dangers involved.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel guidance for Thailand, emphasizing strict drug laws and the significantly increased risk of arrest for drug smuggling, noting a rise in cannabis being sent by post from Thailand.

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.