Police seize ฿400m in assets from group of Chinese businessmen

13 Sept 18:55 Key points summarised by AI

Thai police impounded over ฿400 million in assets, including luxury homes, cars, and a penthouse, from Chinese businessmen allegedly involved in "grey" businesses.
The seized assets are linked to a comprehensive tourism operation, providing package tours, transport to entertainment venues, and gambling dens for wealthy Chinese tourists.
Key suspect Chaiyanat Kornchayanant (aka "Tohao"), believed to lead the Chinese business ring, is currently detained on drug trafficking charges, with police planning further asset seizures, including his private jet.
Chaiyanat, a long-term Thai resident with a Thai wife, allegedly used Thai nominees to acquire properties and is noted for cultivating close connections with some Thai politicians, including a significant political donation.

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.