Can new governor Chadchart bring BTS Skytrain fares down to earth?

13 Sept 16:45 Key points summarised by AI

Governor Chadchart clarified his campaign promise, stating the 25-30 baht fare target was for shorter BTS rides (8-11 stations), not the entire Skytrain system.
His administration's short-term plan maintains a 59-baht maximum fare until 2029 and will begin charging for previously free extension routes to reduce taxpayer subsidies.
Consumer groups and the new head of Krungthep Thanakom advocate for a 25-baht maximum fare post-2029, pushing for contract revisions with BTSC, citing high operational costs for extensions.
Chadchart pledges to publicize the "confidential" BTSC contracts for transparency and will pursue legal action if investigations reveal any misconduct or financial irregularities.

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.