Thailand’s inflation in May the lowest for 21 months

19 Sept 22:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's inflation rate dropped to a 21-month low of 0.53% in May, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline, largely attributed to lower electricity and fuel costs.
While non-food and non-drink prices decreased, specific food items like vegetables, eggs, and ready-made meals saw price hikes due to reduced output and increased production costs.
Warnings suggest inflation may rebound from a potential minimum wage increase (Move Forward party's pledge) and an impending drought impacting fresh food supplies.
Industrial exports to the US and China fell 7.6% in April, though agricultural exports rose; overall export growth is projected to slow by 1% this year.
Experts advocate for the new government to boost exports and for the Bank of Thailand to cautiously adjust policy rates to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

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.