Vientiane hotel halts ring-toss game amid digital outcry

1 Oct 02:07 Key points summarised by AI

A Chinese-owned hotel in Vientiane, Laos, ceased a controversial ring-toss game where men threw hoops at young Lao women holding prizes, following a viral video and public outcry.
The video, posted on Facebook, garnered thousands of angry comments and shares, with users condemning the game as demeaning and an affront to women's dignity.
Lao citizens expressed strong resentment, highlighting the activity's inappropriateness and linking it to broader concerns about the treatment of women and the influx of Chinese businesses.
Hotel management confirmed the ban, stating the game was intended for Lunar New Year celebrations but acknowledged the public's negative reaction.

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.