Don Mueang braces for 1 million Songkran passengers, tech readies
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Don Mueang braces for 1 million Songkran passengers, tech readies
11 Sept 01:06Key points summarised by AI
Don Mueang International Airport expects to handle over 1 million passengers across 6,551 flights during the 2026 Songkran festival, anticipating April 11 as the peak travel day.
The airport is deploying cutting-edge technology, including Common Use Self-Service (CUSS), Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD), biometric identification, and automated border control gates, to streamline passenger journeys and reduce wait times.
To enhance passenger experience and safety, the airport offers free parking with a 24-hour shuttle, increases CCTV monitoring and airside security checks, and stations "Airport Ambassadors" for assistance.
Festive photo spots and the "SAWASDEE by AOT" mobile app are also available to welcome travelers and provide real-time flight and service information.
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.