New minimum wages are too low and need review : PM

13 Sept 09:49 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Wage Committee's recent decision, deeming the Bt2-16 minimum wage increase as "too low" given rising living costs.
He highlighted the inadequacy of the small increases, noting that millions of low-income earners depend on the minimum wage and even a Bt2-3 rise is insufficient for basic needs.
The PM criticized businesses for suppressing wages and resisting operational development, despite his pleas for empathy towards employees and the government's efforts to alleviate economic hardships.
Srettha challenged the argument that higher wages would cause businesses to relocate, comparing Thai wages unfavorably to those in countries like Singapore and South Korea and dismissing such concerns as "mere rhetoric."
He affirmed his unhappiness with the minimal increases and signaled his intent to review the decision, urging businesses to reconsider their stance on employee compensation.

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.