New house prices expected to rise substantially - Government Housing Bank

20 Sept 23:09 Key points summarised by AI

Thai house prices are projected to rise significantly by year-end, fueled by increasing construction material and land costs, alongside an anticipated minimum wage increase.
Commercial banks are exercising greater caution in mortgage lending due to the non-extension of the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio relaxation and the impending expiration of COVID-19 debtor relief measures.
The Real Estate Information Centre (REIC) suggests the new government review foreign condominium ownership ratios in key tourist provinces and revise property transfer and mortgage registration fees.
A proposal includes establishing a housing loan guarantee fund, utilizing a percentage of annual property transfer fees, to encourage financial institutions to extend more loans to homebuyers.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.