Thailand may ban maize imports from countries not controlling forest fires

13 Sept 11:36 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin warns of a potential ban on maize imports from neighboring countries next year if they do not control forest and farm waste burning contributing to transboundary air pollution.
This escalated threat of an outright ban follows previous ignored warnings about imposing import taxes on maize from countries failing to manage airborne pollution.
Studies indicate that transboundary smoke is the primary cause of PM2.5 in Thailand, making it an economic problem that requires pressure on neighboring nations to restrain their farmers' burning practices.
Domestically, Thailand offers a 10,000 baht reward for capturing fire starters and, despite a reduction in forest fires this year, the Prime Minister remains unsatisfied with the overall haze situation.

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.