#Policy

A quiet but sweeping change is reshaping Thailand’s business landscape. From Bangkok’s financial districts to Chiang Mai’s markets, artificial intelligence has moved from a novelty to a core tool, boosting productivity and opening new economic avenues across the nation.

Research indicates AI now touches twenty-one distinct workplace applications in Thai professional life, delivering tangible gains in efficiency, creativity, and strategic planning. These innovations are reshaping industries and offering insights for employers, educators, and policymakers as Thailand seeks to balance rapid adoption with responsible workforce development and public trust.

Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would require parental consent for minors to receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception and even to complete certain school health surveys — a proposal critics say comes as teen STI rates in the state are at their highest in more than a decade and could push vulnerable young people away from lifesaving care. The bill, SB 1288, advanced through a Senate Pre‑K‑12 committee in late March after heated testimony from sexual‑assault survivors, public‑health advocates and clinicians who warned that removing confidential access risks higher rates of untreated infections and unintended pregnancies — outcomes that public‑health research links to policies that restrict adolescent confidentiality in sexual and reproductive health services (Florida Phoenix; Tallahassee Democrat). The debate in Florida is a stark reminder for Thailand that policy changes limiting adolescents’ confidential access to STI testing, treatment and contraception can have measurable public‑health consequences — especially where sex education is inconsistent and cultural stigma around adolescent sexuality remains strong.

A new longitudinal analysis of UK cohort data finds that children who test as “bright” at age five but grow up in low‑income families maintain academic parity with richer peers through primary school, only to experience a marked drop in school engagement, behaviour, mental health and exam outcomes during the move to secondary school between about ages 11 and 14. The paper — based on the Millennium Cohort Study and reported in a working paper and later published in Research in Social Stratification and Mobility — shows large gaps by the end of compulsory schooling: bright children from poor homes are roughly 26 percentage points less likely to secure top maths GCSE grades and about 21 points less likely to secure top English grades than equivalently high‑scoring peers from the richest families, after statistical adjustments link to working paper/summary and link to journal listing. For Thai educators and policymakers watching aspirations and social mobility, the study raises a clear alarm: early talent alone is not enough; the school transition matters, and social disadvantage can erode promise during early adolescence.

A sharp rise in Thailand’s captive lions has sparked a national debate about wildlife welfare, illegal trafficking, and the impact on conservation. Between 2018 and 2024, the country’s captive lion population grew from about 130 to nearly 500, while an estimated 350 individuals disappeared from official records in a single year. Experts warn that missing lions may have been trafficked across borders, inadequately cared for, or failed to be reported, highlighting serious gaps in monitoring and enforcement.

New international research shows that the conditions children grow up in can influence adult personality. For Thailand, with its mix of booming cities and rural communities, these findings matter for schools, workplaces, and social policy.

Studies link harsh environments—such as corruption, inequality, poverty, and social instability—to the development of what researchers call the Dark Factor of Personality. Traits include selfishness, manipulation, and moral disengagement emerging during childhood and adolescence.

In Thailand, rapid development creates varied living conditions. Urban prosperity sits alongside rural struggles, making it important to understand how early experiences shape behavior across regions and groups. The study tracked environmental harshness using a composite of corruption, inequality, poverty, and social instability indicators from roughly 2000 to 2004. These childhood factors were found to have lasting effects on adult personality decades later.

As economic pressures mount and the cracks in formal childcare systems widen, a new wave of research and firsthand testimony draws attention to a silent but critical force sustaining families across generations—grandparents acting as unpaid caregivers. Recent reflections published in The Guardian highlight the dual drivers of love and necessity behind this trend, with grandparents stepping in not only to enrich their grandchildren’s lives, but simply to help families keep pace with work and rising living costs The Guardian.

Thailand’s grandparents emerge as the invisible backbone of the modern family structure, shouldering extraordinary caregiving responsibilities that bridge the gap between cultural tradition and economic necessity while the formal childcare system struggles to meet contemporary demands. This profound shift transforms beloved elders from respected advisors into essential primary caregivers, reflecting both the enduring strength of Thai family bonds and the mounting pressures created by rapid social and economic changes throughout the kingdom.

Grandparents across Thailand are stepping into the role of primary caregivers, bridging deep cultural traditions with the realities of today’s economy. This shift highlights the resilience of Thai families while underscoring mounting pressures from rapid social and economic change.

New research echoes what many Thai households already know: multi-generational living and grandparent-led childcare are cultural cornerstones. But the surge in economic strain, migration for work, and urbanization is testing these long-established patterns. The result is a growing reliance on older relatives to fill gaps left by gaps in formal childcare and public support.

Agriculture and tourism are merging in Maui County, where agri-tourism is now allowed as an accessory use in most agricultural districts. Moloka‘i remains an exception, reflecting respect for local values and farming traditions. This shift positions farms as destinations for learning about food, sustainable practice, and everyday rural life, offering a potential blueprint for Thailand’s rural diversification.

The policy signals that farms can be engines of tourism, not just production. Tasting rooms, guided farm tours, and farm-hosted events can boost revenue and raise awareness of agriculture’s role in communities. The Moloka‘i exception highlights a careful balance between development and preserving local culture.

Maui County has taken a significant legislative step to strengthen agricultural tourism, now permitting “ag-tourism” as an accessory use in its agricultural districts, with the notable exception of Molokaʻi, according to a recent report by Maui Now. The change reflects broader trends in rural economies worldwide and offers valuable perspectives for Thailand as the Kingdom seeks to diversify tourist experiences and uplift rural incomes.

The move by Maui’s county council is a response to the growing recognition that farms can be much more than just places of production; they are also destinations where travelers can learn about local cuisine, sustainable agriculture, and traditional lifestyles. This shift, known as agricultural tourism or agri-tourism, is significant for rural regions’ sustainability, combining income generation for farmers with cultural exchange and environmental education. In Maui’s case, the expansion does not extend to Molokaʻi, reflecting local community sentiment and unique agricultural traditions on this less-developed Hawaiian island.

A growing body of research shows that many women’s substance use starts quietly and may seem “normal” at first. A glass of wine after work, a sleep aid for restless nights, or prescription painkillers after surgery can mask early dependence. In Thailand, these subtle beginnings and the stigma around women’s addiction raise urgent questions for families, health professionals, and policymakers. New evidence also notes that young women are increasingly binge drinking in some countries, a trend that merits local attention.

A new wave of addiction research reveals an unsettling reality: for many women, substance use does not fit the sensationalized, chaotic image so often portrayed in media. Instead, it often begins quietly and appears “normal”—a glass of wine after a long day, a sleep aid to combat restless nights, or prescription painkillers following surgery or childbirth. In today’s Thailand, these subtle beginnings and the invisibility of early-stage addiction among women are prompting urgent questions for families, health professionals, and policymakers, especially as new evidence suggests young women are now outpacing men in binge drinking in several countries worldwide (Psychology Today).

Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots and virtual companions, are increasingly used in Thailand. This rise brings promise for expanding mental health support in hospitals and eldercare, while also raising concerns about potential risks. Thai readers now encounter AI-powered apps for study help, entertainment, and guidance, making balanced coverage essential.

Research and clinical experience suggest AI can enhance access to care, yet unusual psychiatric cases linked to AI interactions warrant careful monitoring. Reports of AI-related distress emphasize the need for vigilant evaluation, safety measures, and ongoing research. Experts caution that causation is not proven, but these episodes underscore the importance of safeguarding vulnerable users as technology grows more capable.

A landmark study from leading U.S. researchers reveals a stark surge in ‘extremely severe’ obesity among American children over the past decade and a half, igniting alarm among health experts worldwide. Drawing on nationally representative health data, the study, published in JAMA Network Open, found the proportion of kids with the most extreme forms of obesity more than tripled between 2008 and 2023—a trend that poses urgent questions for public health both in the United States and in countries like Thailand where childhood obesity is a rising concern (Gizmodo).

Public school enrollment across the United States continues to decline, with new data showing student numbers have not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels—a trend that is accelerating nationwide and sending ripples through education systems globally. The latest findings, reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), indicate that K-12 public school enrollment peaked at 50.8 million in autumn 2019 but is projected to drop by nearly four million to just 46.9 million by 2031, representing a significant 7.6% fall in enrollment over the next several years (Virginia Mercury via WTOP).

A new global assessment shows why travel remains a major engine of prosperity. In 2024, the United States and China lead the world’s largest tourism economies. The U.S. tourism sector generated about $2.36 trillion, while China reached around $1.3 trillion. The findings, based on WTTC data and independent visual analyses, highlight how domestic demand, infrastructure, and policy choices shape national fortunes.

Tourism is not just about beaches and landmarks. It sustains jobs, funds infrastructure, and deepens international exchange. For Thailand, a country with a long history of growth driven by travel, the report underscores the need for strategic planning and adaptation to shifting regional dynamics as the recovery continues.

A recent analysis of the world’s largest tourism economies underscores the immense financial impact of travel on nations’ prosperity, with the United States and China leading the global hierarchy in 2024. Data published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and visualized by Visual Capitalist shows that the U.S. tourism sector generated a staggering US$2.36 trillion this year, while China followed as a rapidly growing market at $1.3 trillion Visual Capitalist.

A new wave of research reframes population aging from a crisis to an opportunity, with Thailand at the forefront of turning longer, healthier lives into economic and social value for Thai communities. As the country moves toward a “super-aged” status within the coming decade, this perspective highlights potential benefits beyond traditional guardrails of pension and healthcare costs.

Thailand already faces a rising share of seniors. By 2024, about one in five Thais was 60 or older, a figure expected to increase toward the late 2020s and 2030s. This trend, driven by lower birth rates and greater longevity, underscores the need for policies that enable older adults to stay productive and engaged. Data from national and international health bodies shows the aging population is a defining feature of Thailand’s development trajectory.

A recent nationwide study of the United States highlights notable regional disparities in education. The 2025 WalletHub analysis of 150 major cities shows Texas metros performing poorly in some measures, while Austin stands out as a high-performing education hub. The contrast mirrors Thailand’s ongoing efforts to close urban–rural gaps in student achievement.

The WalletHub ranking uses 11 metrics, including adult education levels, public school quality, university reputation, and disparities by race and gender. Data are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau and other reputable sources. In Texas, the Brownsville–Harlingen and McAllen–Edinburg–Mission area sits lower on the list, while the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown region ranks among the top national performers. National leaders include university hubs such as Ann Arbor, Durham, Madison, and San Jose.

A recent nationwide study ranking America’s most and least educated metropolitan areas has revealed that several Texas cities are near the bottom of the list, underscoring growing concerns about regional educational disparities. Compiled by personal finance website WalletHub, the 2025 report compared the 150 largest U.S. metropolitan areas based on educational attainment and the quality of education, with four Texas metros ranking among the bottom 11 and one Texas city, Austin, placing prominently among America’s best-educated urban centers.

A remarkable coalition of over 250 CEOs—including leaders from Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber—has issued a joint call urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of school curricula in the United States. Their concerns arise as China directs children as young as six to attend formal AI classes, fueling fears that nations lacking such initiatives may fall dangerously behind in global technological competitiveness (Fortune).

A coalition of more than 250 top executives from global firms is urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of U.S. school curricula. The move comes as Beijing rolls out AI classes for younger students, sparking concerns that countries without similar programs may fall behind in tech leadership. This debate emphasizes the growing importance of foundational digital skills for the next generation.

In an open letter to lawmakers, tech leaders warned that in the age of AI, children should become creators, not just users. They estimate that universal tech education could unlock billions in economic potential and improve future wages for students across pathways, not limited to those who attend college. The message signals a broader push for early exposure to coding and AI concepts as a lever for long-term prosperity.

A wave of new research underscores cycling as a powerful, practical path to healthy aging. For Thai readers, the findings offer a clear incentive to incorporate cycling into daily life—whether for recreation or daily transportation. A decade-long study from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and a large Scottish analysis published in BMJ Public Health both show that cycling can improve health outcomes, especially for older adults and people who bike to work. The results also align with Thailand’s aging society, urban transport challenges, and public health push toward more active lifestyles.

A wave of new research is shining a spotlight on cycling as a powerful tool for healthy aging and longevity, with findings that offer compelling motivation for Thai individuals of all ages to embrace the bicycle, both for recreation and as a form of daily transportation. According to a recent 10-year study out of Japan’s University of Tsukuba, as well as a large-scale analysis in Scotland published in BMJ Public Health, the humble bicycle may well be the secret to a longer, healthier life—especially for older adults and commuters. These developments warrant attention given Thailand’s aging society, its urban transportation challenges, and the ongoing public health push toward more active lifestyles.