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Why was Thailand’s cannabis bill voted down and will this derail legalization?

13 Sept 02:03 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's cannabis bill was rejected in Parliament due to a sudden expansion of articles in its second reading and failure to address widespread concerns about unregulated recreational use.
The vote-down raises fears of decriminalization reversal among pro-cannabis groups, while medical professionals warn of a dangerous "legal vacuum" allowing uncontrolled consumption and potential health issues.
Despite political pushback, the Bhumjaithai Party, a key proponent of legalization, vows to continue advocating for the bill, even if it means reintroducing it in the next parliamentary term.

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.