NESDC casts doubts over domestic consumption rise from digital wallet scheme

26 Sept 08:44 Key points summarised by AI

The National Social and Economic Council (NESDC) questions the digital wallet scheme's ability to significantly boost domestic consumption, citing an already high 7.8% increase in private consumption during the first half of the year.
Despite economic contractions in exports and industrial production, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin anticipates the scheme will stimulate private investment and employment as businesses prepare for increased consumer demand.

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.