Private sector seeks stabilisation of strengthening baht currency

13 Sept 12:22 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai private sector, including exporters and tourism operators, expresses alarm over the baht's rapid strengthening to a 19-month high, fearing severe economic repercussions.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce highlights that a 1% appreciation of the baht against the USD leads to an estimated 100 billion baht annual revenue loss for exporters, making products less competitive globally.
Businesses urge concerned agencies to stabilize the baht at an appropriate level, with an ideal rate suggested at 34 baht/USD, and plan to meet with the finance minister and central bank governor.
Proposed measures to address economic challenges include adjusting interest rates in line with global shifts and reconsidering a standard 400-baht minimum wage, advocating for provincial economic adjustments.

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.