Thailand’s Interior Ministry tightens gun controls

23 Sept 04:48 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Interior Ministry has introduced stringent new gun control measures, prompted by the recent Siam Paragon mall shooting where a 14-year-old used a modified blank-firing gun.
Short-term controls include mandatory registration for modifiable blank and BB guns, suspension of new import/trading permits for these weapons, and enhanced customs checks on gun replicas.
Additionally, shooting ranges are now prohibited from allowing individuals under 20 (excluding competition shooters) on their premises, and ammunition purchased at ranges cannot be removed.
Long-term plans involve amending the Firearms Act to require a doctor's certificate for mental fitness to own a gun, implementing periodic gun checks for license renewal, and redefining gun replicas to differentiate them from modifiable firearms.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.