Bangkok air quality falls below safety standard on Wednesday

14 Sept 00:49 Key points summarised by AI

Bangkok's air quality has plummeted to "unhealthy to very unhealthy" levels in several districts, with PM2.5 readings significantly exceeding the national safety standard of 50 microns, reaching as high as 125 microns in Bang Khun Thian.
The severe air pollution, prevalent across most of Bangkok since March 2nd, is expected to improve due to southerly winds; meanwhile, 43 national parks and 22 wildlife sanctuaries have been closed until April to address contributing forest fires and haze.

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.