Six state banks announce lending rate cut

14 Sept 03:06 Key points summarised by AI

Six state banks will cut their lending rates by 0.25% for small borrowers, starting May 1, responding to the Thai Bankers Association's recent minimum retail rate reduction.
This move aims to benefit millions, including financially fragile customers, with specific banks like EXIM Bank and Government Housing Bank detailing their rate adjustments and the latter also introducing a new savings account.

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.