Thailand aims for 33m visitors under new 'quality tourism' strategy

20 Sept 02:15 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand is repositioning its tourism strategy from volume to value, targeting high-spending tourists to ensure economic benefits reach local communities nationwide.
The country aims to exceed 33.2 million foreign arrivals by the end of 2026, building on 14.03 million visitors in the first five months and demonstrating resilience in its hospitality sector.
Samui Island, voted 'Best Island 2026,' exemplifies this premium push, attracting over a million foreign holidaymakers in Q1 2026 and generating significant revenue from high-value markets.
Future plans include collaborating with stakeholders to roll out international festivals and events, promoting wellness, sports, community-based, and cultural tourism to upgrade emerging destinations.

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.