MICE tourism needs strong government support amid decline

13 Sept 08:30 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) tourism sector faces a significant downturn, with 2024 arrivals projected to fall below one million, necessitating immediate and robust government intervention.
The industry has generated 33 billion baht from 590,000 MICE tourists so far this year, a sharp decrease from last year's 69.5 billion baht, reflecting reduced spending and shorter stays by visitors.
The Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) proposes aggressive sales and marketing campaigns targeting diverse sectors, shifting focus to short-haul and domestic markets, and improving international accreditation for facilities.
Industry leaders advocate for crucial government support, including short-term tax incentives for business meetings (especially in second-tier cities) and long-term ecosystem enhancements like infrastructure upgrades, workforce development, and sustainability certifications.

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.