BAAC labour union against planned lending to fund “digital wallet”

13 Sept 13:50 Key points summarised by AI

The BAAC labour union strongly opposes the government's plan to borrow 172 billion baht from the bank to finance its "digital wallet" scheme.
Union members fear the substantial lending could undermine depositor confidence, compromise the bank's stability, and echo past financial missteps like the rice pledging scheme.
They dispute legal interpretations from the Council of State and Finance Ministry, citing former officials who argue BAAC law does not permit using its funds for general economic stimulus or non-agricultural objectives, calling it a breach of fiscal discipline.
The government aims to distribute 10,000 baht in digital money to around 50 million eligible Thais in the fourth quarter of this year, a plan now facing significant internal resistance from the bank slated to provide the funds.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 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.