COVID makes comeback in Thailand as booster fatigue leaves door open

13 Sept 12:53 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand is experiencing a significant COVID-19 resurgence, with deaths soaring over threefold in the past month and a notable increase in severe cases and hospitalizations.
The primary cause of this comeback is attributed to 'booster fatigue' and declining public immunity, as many individuals are not receiving recommended annual booster shots.
Authorities are stepping up campaigns to encourage vaccination, offering free booster shots, including more effective bivalent vaccines, at state hospitals to combat the spread of new Omicron subvariants.
Medical experts emphasize that while new subvariants are not inherently more virulent, they cause severe symptoms in those with waning immunity, urging continued precautions despite general relaxation.

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.