Protests against Kaeng Sua Ten dam project in Phrae province

14 Sept 00:44 Key points summarised by AI

Hundreds of residents in Phrae province are protesting the potential revival of the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten dam project on the Yom River.
Villagers, who have resisted the project for over 50 years, fear it would destroy their homes, livelihoods, and 6,400 hectares of valuable teak forest.
Proponents, including Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, advocate for the dam to resolve chronic drought and flooding in the Yom River basin, aiming to protect Sukhothai province.
Opponents, such as Assistant Professor Sitang Pilailar, contend the dam will not effectively prevent Sukhothai flooding, as it would only capture 10% of northern runoffs and numerous other tributaries contribute to the problem.

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.