International headwinds offset Thai economy's gains

15 Sept 03:30 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's economy experiences upward growth forecast revisions, mainly driven by a robust tourism recovery and strong food export performance amidst global shortages.
High global energy prices and a weakening Thai Baht against the US dollar are fueling domestic inflation, impacting businesses and consumers despite government subsidies.
The Bank of Thailand faces a critical challenge, balancing the need to support economic growth with combating rising inflation and capital outflows triggered by global interest rate hikes.
International headwinds, including the Ukraine war, a slowing global economy, and persistent supply chain disruptions, pose significant risks to Thai exports and overall recovery.
Government subsidies for energy prices, aimed at easing consumer burden, have led to a substantial deficit in the state Oil Fuel Fund, creating fiscal pressure.

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.