Rice policies caught in controversy and politicization ?

22 Sept 08:04 Key points summarised by AI

Serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya was arrested for allegedly extorting 1.5 million baht from the Rice Department's director-general, threatening to expose corruption in 19.3 billion baht worth of projects.
Thai rice policies, particularly production subsidies and breed distribution, are historically prone to corruption and heavily influenced by political motives, as farmers represent a significant voter base.
The Rice Department faces a substantial 75% budget cut for 2024, hindering vital research and development of new rice varieties, which is crucial for maintaining Thailand's competitiveness in the global market.

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.