New Bangkok governor carries huge burden of expectations and promises

13 Sept 14:17 Key points summarised by AI

Chadchart Sittipunt secured a record mandate as Bangkok's first elected governor since 2014, signaling immense public expectations and confidence in his leadership.
His ambitious agenda comprises 214 policies across nine areas, aiming to transform Bangkok with a strong focus on the grassroots economy and improving public services.
Key policy initiatives include enhancing public transport efficiency, providing crucial support and stability for street food vendors, and boosting digital literacy across the city.
Chadchart also plans to attract international businesses by improving infrastructure, offering one-stop services, and positioning Bangkok as a more international hub.
Despite these far-reaching plans, the new governor faces significant challenges, particularly in securing adequate funding and ensuring cooperation from the central government.

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.