Sea wall projects in Thailand will now require EIA study under a new edict

13 Sept 10:53 Key points summarised by AI

A new ministerial edict in Thailand now mandates Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all future sea wall and breakwater construction projects, effective immediately.
Environmental advocates welcome the edict but express concern that the EIA process could be circumvented, though it may discourage state agencies from rushing projects without proper assessment.

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.