Crackdown on weight loss supplements containing sibutramine

11 Sept 19:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai consumer protection police and the TFDA dismantled a network producing and distributing "NQS Cross" weight loss supplements laced with sibutramine.
The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,000 boxes, valued at two million baht, and the arrest of three suspects, including two TikTok influencers.
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant previously withdrawn from markets due to its association with increased cardiovascular risks and is classified as a Category 1 psychotropic substance.
The arrested individuals face severe charges for selling a product containing sibutramine without a license, potentially leading to 1-15 years imprisonment and/or fines up to 1.5 million baht.

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.