Thai central bank cuts policy rate for first time in four years

15 Sept 23:09 Key points summarised by AI

The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee voted to cut the key policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, marking the first reduction in four years to ease borrowing costs and boost the sluggish economy.
This decision, made despite some dissent, aims to alleviate debt burdens and aligns with projections of modest economic growth driven by tourism and consumption amid low inflation.

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.