Thai troops on alert for a new narcotic from Myanmar’s Tachilek township

13 Sept 14:25 Key points summarised by AI

Thai military forces in Chiang Rai have heightened border surveillance, particularly in Mae Sai district, to prevent the influx of a new narcotic known as “Happy” from Myanmar’s Tachilek township.
This new drug, a white powder less potent than methamphetamine, keeps users awake and feeling good, making it popular in Tachilek's entertainment venues and sold for 3,000-6,000 baht per packet.
Although 'Happy' has not yet been detected on the Thai side, anti-narcotics officials have intensified road checks and border patrols to intercept any smuggling attempts into the country.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.