Navy stranded without submarine or frigate amid budget crunch

23 Sept 02:11 Key points summarised by AI

Lawmakers rejected the Royal Thai Navy's 17-billion-baht frigate proposal for fiscal year 2024, citing budget constraints and a flawed procurement plan, leaving its aging fleet without crucial replacements.
The controversial Yuan Class S26T submarine acquisition remains stalled as the Chinese manufacturer cannot secure the contractually required German engine due to EU regulations, despite Thailand having already paid over 7 billion baht.
The Thai Navy critically needs new warships, operating with only four aging frigates (some over 30 years old) to defend its maritime interests amidst regional naval expansion and ongoing disputes.
Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang highlighted intense competition for the national defense budget, with the Air Force also proposing a 19-billion-baht acquisition of 12 new fighter jets.

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.