Songkran expected to generate about Bt30bn in revenue - TAT governor

10 Sept 15:59 Key points summarised by AI

Songkran celebrations across Thailand are projected to generate approximately 30 billion baht in revenue, marking a 6% increase over last year, driven by strong tourist confidence.
The festival's success is attributed to effective public-private sector cooperation, elevating Songkran into an internationally recognized, value-added tourism event.
Major hotspots in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai, including specific events like the ‘Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2026’ and ‘Saneh Art by Songkran Festival 2026’, attracted hundreds of thousands of local and international revellers.
Regional attractions, such as Ayutthaya's elephant interactions and Hat Yai's draw for over 36,000 Malaysian tourists, highlighted the diverse cultural appeal and boosted local economies.
Beyond cultural festivities, Songkran serves as a significant economic driver, contributing substantially to Thailand's economic growth and generating widespread happiness.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

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.