Transport Ministry drafts "Land Bridge" legislation

11 Sept 07:59 Key points summarised by AI

The Transport Ministry is drafting the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill to enable the ambitious 'land bridge' mega project, with expected approval by September next year.
This land bridge aims to significantly cut voyage time and distance between the Indian and Pacific Oceans by bypassing the Straits of Malacca.
Upon becoming law, an SEC office will be established to implement the multi-billion baht project, overseeing train and motorway system designs linking the southern ports.
The project is projected to reduce cargo shipping time by four days and cut transport costs by 15%.
The ministry is collaborating with Dubai Port World Company for groundwork and invites other countries like China and Japan to participate.

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.