Singapore bank to close Myanmar airline accounts

13 Sept 13:55 Key points summarised by AI

Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) will close all five accounts belonging to Myanmar Airways International (MAI) by August 15th, despite requests from the airline to refrain.
The move is widely believed to stem from recent US Treasury Department sanctions imposed on Myanmar's state-owned banks, which are key channels for foreign currency payments.
MAI, owned by the 24 Hour Group, is known for its close ties to the Myanmar military, with advocacy groups accusing it of being a money laundering risk and a tool for illegal operations.
In response to the account closures, MAI is reportedly seeking to open new accounts with other financial institutions, including DBS, Kasikorn, and Emirates NBD.

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.