Increased foreigner condo ownership rights will benefit economy – PM

18 Sept 04:46 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defends proposed amendments to allow foreigners to lease land for up to 99 years and own up to 75% of condominium projects, asserting the goal is to boost Thailand's economy.
The plan, conceived by the Finance Ministry, maintains that 99-year leases do not confer land ownership and foreign voting rights in condos would remain at 49% to ensure Thai control.
Despite the PM's assurances, some Thai businessmen and real estate experts express reservations, citing concerns over potential increases in land prices, difficulties for Thai nationals to own property, and the risk of exploitation by 'grey' businesses for illicit gains.

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.