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Political parties grapple with funding constraints for pension plans in run-up to general election

1 Oct 05:09 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's rapid transition to an aging society creates significant fiscal pressure, prompting political parties to propose substantial increases to the current meager elderly pensions (600-1,000 baht).
Election campaigns feature bold pension promises, with parties like Palang Pracharath offering up to 5,000 baht and Move Forward targeting 3,000 baht by 2027, despite immense funding challenges.
Parties outline diverse funding strategies to cover the estimated 360-450 billion baht annual cost, including military budget cuts, enhanced tax collection, wealth taxes, sin taxes, and VAT adjustments.
Concerns over financial sustainability lead to cautious approaches, with some parties suggesting phased implementation, targeted assistance for needy seniors, or exploring alternative solutions like extended working ages.
Experts advocate for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, emphasizing community involvement to ensure long-term care and financial viability for the growing elderly population.

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.