#Policy

As global travel rebounds with unprecedented force, new research warns that the benefits of mass tourism may be shadowed by serious costs—both for beloved destinations and their residents. In 2024, a staggering 1.4 billion people traveled internationally, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, accounting for roughly one in six people worldwide. For many communities, this surge has been a mixed blessing: while it has brought economic prosperity, it is also overwhelming town centers, fracturing local cultures, inflating living costs, and jeopardizing the pristine sites that first drew visitors from afar (UNWTO).

A global travel rebound is under way, but new research warns that mass tourism may come with steep costs for destinations and residents. In 2024, international travel reached about 1.4 billion departures, roughly one in six people on Earth, according to the World Tourism Organization. The surge has brought jobs and investment, yet it also crowds town centers, strains local cultures, pushes up living costs, and threatens the very sites visitors seek.

China’s bold experiment in introducing artificial intelligence (AI) education to primary schoolers is sending shockwaves through classrooms—and corporate boardrooms—around the world. As six-year-olds in Beijing begin learning about the building blocks of AI, over 250 chief executives from top global companies, including Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber, are demanding similar lessons for American students in the hopes of unlocking economic and social benefits on a global scale (Fortune, MSN). The move marks a pivotal moment not just for the United States, which is now scrambling to keep pace, but for Thailand and the wider world, where the question is no longer whether AI belongs in childhood education—but when and how.

Thailand watches China’s move to begin AI education for primary students with keen interest. In Beijing, six-year-olds are already exploring AI fundamentals, while thousands of global business leaders urge the United States to adopt similar approaches. The ripple effect raises questions not only for the US, but for Thailand and other nations as they consider when and how to weave AI into early learning.

China has embedded AI into schooling through nationwide guidelines. Starting this school year, Beijing schools will provide at least eight hours of AI-focused instruction annually, blending algorithmic thinking, coding, and hands-on experimentation with smart devices. The aim is to build digital literacy, problem-solving, and STEM readiness from the earliest grades. Thailand’s policymakers are monitoring these developments as they seek to boost competitiveness and reduce educational gaps.

A new Eurostat report reveals that 5.8% of young people aged 15–29 in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges of youth poverty and exclusion across one of the world’s wealthiest regions. These findings are particularly relevant for Thai society, where the realities of economic hardship among youth mirror disturbing global trends and raise urgent questions about social safety nets and opportunities for the next generation.

A new Eurostat analysis shows 5.8% of young people aged 15–29 in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation in 2024. The finding underscores persistent challenges around poverty and social exclusion among youth in one of the world’s wealthiest regions. For Thailand, the report resonates with domestic concerns about economic hardship among young people and the need for robust safety nets and opportunity pathways.

Severe material and social deprivation means lacking basic needs—such as adequate housing, nutritious food, heating, and essential appliances—along with limited social participation, like meeting friends or joining activities. This is not a measure of absolute poverty, but of what a society typically considers essential. The EU framework clarifies this nuance, and contemporary research on deprivation supports the approach. Data in 2024 reveal notable country contrasts: Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece report the highest deprivation rates among youth, while several nations including Croatia, Slovenia, and Poland show rates below 3%. The differences point to how policy design, labor markets, and family support shape youth prospects, especially after economic shocks.

A sharp drop in international arrivals has revived Thailand’s debate over casino legalization. Could regulated gaming boost a struggling tourism sector, or would it invite diplomatic friction and social ills? The issue comes into focus as lawmakers prepare to review entertainment complex legislation with gaming components as early as July. Recent research and industry voices illuminate what’s at stake for Thailand’s economy and social fabric.

Thailand has long relied on tourism as a key growth engine, renowned for its beaches and cultural treasures. The country drew new attention when a popular TV series highlighted Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui, sparking discussions about potential casino resorts. Hotels associated with the show reported a surge in inquiries and bookings, though the optimism faded as Chinese visitor numbers fell markedly in early 2025. International arrivals were down 14 percent in May, with declines across major feeder markets including China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India according to sources tracking regional travel trends.

China paused several AI chatbot services during the gaokao, the country’s high-stakes college entrance exam, to safeguard exam integrity. Leading AI firms publicly disabled image-recognition and question-answering features during exam hours, with messages citing a commitment to fairness. The move was echoed by multiple platforms, and a viral AI service also restricted access in line with exam protection efforts. Authorities already ban phones and laptops in exam halls, but concerns about covert AI assistance before and during tests have grown among students, parents, and educators. Social media chatter on Weibo reflected broad anxiety about fairness in a tech-driven academic era.

In a sweeping move to uphold the integrity of its gaokao college entrance examinations, China’s leading artificial intelligence companies temporarily suspended several AI chatbot services during the nation’s high-stress exam period, according to multiple reports including The Verge and Bloomberg. This sudden deactivation of key AI features marks a significant line of defense in the global battle against high-tech academic dishonesty, with important implications for countries like Thailand, where similar challenges are poised to reshape the educational landscape.

A high school counselor’s viral warning about students’ alarming gaps in basic knowledge has sparked renewed debate on learning loss and educational readiness. While the story began in the United States, it resonates strongly for Thai educators and policymakers. The concerns focus on students who struggle with everyday facts—such as their parents’ jobs, their own ZIP codes, or distinguishing area codes from counties—highlighting a wider crisis in foundational skills after the pandemic. Research from international sources indicates that gaps in core knowledge persist across many countries, including Thailand, underscoring the urgency for reform.

A recent BBC report reveals that school-based anxiety has soared to what mental health experts describe as “epidemic” levels in Northern Ireland, with tens of thousands of youths missing significant classroom time due to overwhelming emotional distress, autism, ADHD, and bullying. The scale of the crisis has prompted calls for urgent review of both mental health supports and how schools address students’ individual needs. With Thailand facing rising cases of adolescent mental health problems after the pandemic, these findings carry crucial implications for Thai educators, parents, and policymakers.

An American high school counselor’s viral testimony about students’ “alarming lack of basic knowledge” has sparked renewed global debate about learning loss and declining educational readiness, with direct resonance for Thai educators and policymakers. This counselor shared their experience of students struggling with basic information—such as their parents’ jobs, their own zip code, or differentiating between “area code” and “county”—problems that would once have been unthinkable in high school settings (Buzzfeed). This anecdotal evidence is supported by mounting international research showing that, since the pandemic, gaps in foundational knowledge have reached crisis levels for a generation of students, including those in Thailand.

A global wave of school-related anxiety is prompting urgent calls for better mental health support in classrooms. In Northern Ireland, tens of thousands of students have missed substantial class time due to overwhelming distress, autism, ADHD, and bullying. The situation highlights a growing need for flexible approaches to education that protect students’ well-being while maintaining learning momentum. With Thailand reporting rising adolescent mental health concerns after the pandemic, Thai educators, parents, and policymakers can draw practical lessons from this crisis.

A new international study questions two decades of climate pledges in tourism, showing the sector’s progress toward reducing emissions has been limited. Conducted by researchers at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the University of Waterloo in Canada, the analysis reviews major climate declarations since 2003 by governments and tourism bodies. Although commitments are plentiful, concrete emissions cuts remain elusive. For Thailand, a top global travel destination, the findings carry urgent implications as the sector drives growth while facing growing demands for environmental responsibility.

A landmark international study has found that despite twenty years of climate pledges, the global tourism industry has made scant progress towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question the sector’s commitment and strategies for climate action. The research, carried out by teams at Sweden’s Linnaeus University and Canada’s University of Waterloo, analyzes the effectiveness of climate declarations from leading tourism organizations and governments since 2003. The findings reveal that while climate commitments abound, meaningful results—especially in terms of emissions reductions—remain elusive, raising urgent concerns for countries like Thailand where tourism is a national economic pillar and environmental sustainability is increasingly central to policy and public debate (Skift).

A new analysis in medical research has illuminated a crucial aspect of the battle against mental health stigma: there are two very different—and deeply misunderstood—types of stigma affecting people with mental illnesses, each requiring distinct approaches to overcome. The findings, published this week in STAT News, call for nuanced strategies in advocacy and policy to ensure that the global response to mental health challenges is both effective and compassionate.

For Thailand, where mental health issues have traditionally been shrouded in silence and misconceptions, these insights could be game-changing for healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers striving for a more inclusive and supportive society.

A fresh analysis in medical research identifies two separate, deeply rooted forms of mental health stigma that require different strategies to overcome. Published recently, the study urges nuanced advocacy and policy actions to improve mental health support worldwide. For Thailand, where conversations about mental health have historically been limited, these findings offer practical pathways for clinicians, teachers, and policymakers to build a more inclusive system.

Globally, stigma prevents people from seeking care, leading to untreated conditions and social isolation. In Thailand, mental illness is often treated as a family issue—“เรื่องในบ้าน”—worth keeping quiet rather than seeking help. The research argues that anti-stigma efforts must separately address beliefs about psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, and common conditions like depression and anxiety.

A growing body of research warns that cannabis use among older adults carries increasing health risks, a concern that grows as legalization expands and social attitudes shift. A recent analysis highlights a sharp rise in cannabis consumption among people aged 65 and older, sparking urgent discussions among health professionals about safety, regulation, and how Thailand should respond in its rapidly aging society.

A cautionary incident underscores the issue: a 76-year-old woman seeking insomnia relief consumed several THC-laced edibles in one night, experiencing anxiety and heart palpitations that led to an emergency visit. She recovered and was discharged, but the episode illustrates vulnerabilities many seniors face. As a geriatrician notes, aging brains are more sensitive to psychoactive substances, a reality for Thai seniors with hypertension or arrhythmias, where drug interactions and falls could amplify risks.

International tourists, once a familiar sight at American landmarks and city centers during the peak summer vacation months, are increasingly opting to take their holidays elsewhere, according to the latest news analysis and tourism research. With North America’s iconic destinations now reporting fewer foreign visitors—particularly from Canada, Europe, and other long-standing source markets—the trend signals a shift with broad implications for both the global and Thai tourism sectors (Wall Street Journal via MSN).

A growing wave of scientific research is sounding the alarm on the increasing health risks linked to cannabis use among older adults, as usage climbs to record levels amidst expanded legalization and shifting social attitudes. The latest analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), reveals a sharp uptick in cannabis consumption by individuals aged 65 and older, igniting urgent debate among health experts about the safety, efficacy, and regulation of cannabis use in Thailand’s rapidly aging society.

International visitors have begun bypassing the United States this summer due to policy shifts and safety concerns, reshaping global travel patterns and offering new opportunities for Thai tourism. Data from tourism research shows a noticeable dip in visitors from Canada, Europe, and other traditional markets, signaling a broader reallocation of travel to destinations perceived as safer and easier to access.

Historically, the United States drew huge crowds to iconic sites like the Statue of Liberty and Disneyland, alongside extensive shopping and varied landscapes. For Thai travelers, the U.S. has long represented access to education, business opportunities, and rich cultural exchanges. Yet this season, hotels, airports, and tour operators report quieter peak months, with fewer international arrivals and altered itineraries.

A UCSF study shows regular cannabis use, whether smoked or eaten, may impair cardiovascular health to a degree similar to tobacco. Published in JAMA Cardiology, the findings highlight potential risks that matter for Thai readers as the country debates cannabis policy and market growth.

In Thailand, cannabis reform began in 2022, with a rapid expansion of dispensaries, edibles, and wellness products. The new data from the United States adds scientific nuance to ongoing debates about benefits, risks, and regulation in a setting where public health messaging is still catching up with industry momentum. Data from Thai health authorities indicate a growing number of cannabis-related businesses, especially in major cities and tourist areas. Public health messaging has tended to emphasize economic opportunity and wellness, underscoring the need for balanced information about cardiovascular risks.

A recent psychology-focused article challenges the usual labels of “neurotypical” and “neurodivergent,” urging a broader view of human experience that centers personal agency and environmental control. Written by a clinical psychology expert, the piece argues that binary classifications can obscure the common human need to influence one’s surroundings and choices. The discussion is relevant for Thai readers as schools, workplaces, and communities increasingly explore inclusive practices.

For Thailand, neurodiversity conversations intersect with rising autism awareness and advocacy for rights and educational opportunities. While national progress includes inclusive classroom initiatives, gaps remain, especially in rural and government-run schools with limited special education resources. Insight from Thailand’s education community indicates a need to reframe approach from rigid categorization to flexible support that accommodates diverse thinking and learning styles.

A recent article in Psychology Today challenges widespread assumptions about what it means to be “neurotypical,” sparking renewed conversation about diversity, inclusion, and the way Thai society identifies and supports individuals with different neurological profiles. The piece, written by a clinical psychology expert, questions the utility of binary labels like “neurotypical” and “neurodivergent,” and urges for a broader understanding of human experience centered on individual control, preferences, and agency (Psychology Today).