Delays to key infrastructure projects in EEC discourage foreign investors
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Delays to key infrastructure projects in EEC discourage foreign investors
13 Sept 12:42Key points summarised by AI
Foreign investors are hesitant to commit to Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) due to prolonged delays in crucial infrastructure projects.
The high-speed train project, connecting three major airports, has been stalled for four years since its 2019 contract, facing issues like land handover and contractor delays in seeking investment privileges.
These project delays significantly undermine the entire EEC development plan, deterring foreign investment and impacting other key initiatives like airport and port expansions.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is exploring options to address the high-speed train project's impasse, including contract amendment or revocation.
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.