The making of Kamman Nok

21 Sept 05:21 Key points summarised by AI

Praween Chanklai, aka Kamman Nok, leveraged a low-ranking official position to build a multi-billion-baht construction empire, securing over a thousand state projects through alleged corrupt practices.
His alleged arrogance and a tragic incident at his party exposed a deeply entrenched system of rural corruption, bribery, and the shocking complicity of senior police and bureaucrats.
The scandal revealed how local 'Kamnan' figures wield immense power and dark influence, often operating with impunity and normalising illegal practices like the 'Sticker Tribute' racket.
The nationwide shock underscored how gravely underestimated rural corruption and rampant bribery had become, exposing an 'ugly norm' in various areas.

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.