Sak Surin will not be returning to Sri Lanka : Varawut

13 Sept 13:27 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand firmly rejects Sri Lanka's request for Sak Surin's return, stating the elephant is now under the patronage of HM the King.
Minister Varawut Silpa-archa declared the matter "out of question," despite calls from a senior Sri Lankan monk.
Sak Surin is undergoing a 30-day quarantine in Thailand, where initial exams revealed multiple health issues, including a cataract, leg problems, and infected wounds, for which he is receiving care.
Thailand is also monitoring two other elephants, Sri Narong and Pratupa, remaining in Sri Lanka, with Sri Lankan universities offering to provide care for them.

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.