Thai transgender tycoon acquires Miss Universe Organisation for US$20m

13 Sept 11:48 Key points summarised by AI

Thai transgender business tycoon Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, known as "Anne," purchased the Miss Universe Organisation from IMG for approximately US$20 million.
This acquisition fulfills her personal dream and represents a significant moment for women and the LGBTQ community worldwide, also bringing pride to Thailand.
Her company, JKN Global Group, plans to expand the Miss Universe brand into new licensing, merchandising, reality shows, advertising, and other media ventures, aiming to recover the investment within 2-3 years.
The acquisition includes plans to host the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand every two years to promote Thai tourism and the economy, with the next pageant scheduled for January 14th.

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.