Private sector wants interest rate cut, quicker fiscal budget disbursement

15 Sept 14:13 Key points summarised by AI

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) maintains Thailand's 2024 economic growth forecast but urges the government to cut interest rates, implement stimulus measures, and accelerate the 2024 fiscal budget disbursement to counter significant economic risks.
JSCCIB also calls for aggressive measures to protect Thai SMEs, including imposing VAT on online transactions under 1,500 baht and increasing random checks on imported goods in tax-free zones, citing adverse effects from substandard products and export slowdowns.

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.