Calls for reform in elephant tourism rise after drownings in Chiang Mai

13 Sept 12:50 Key points summarised by AI

The tragic drowning of two elephants in Chiang Mai’s recent floods has intensified demands for stronger protection and improved welfare standards within Thailand's elephant tourism industry.
Despite being a national symbol, Thailand lacks a dedicated government agency for elephant welfare, relying on a broader animal welfare division that primarily acts on complaints; new Livestock Development Department (LDD) standards now mandate permits and ethical care, with most camps complying.
The Elephant Nature Park, where the elephants drowned, faced rescue challenges due to its ethical policy of not chaining animals, a practice it maintains despite the incident, highlighting the dilemma between animal freedom and safety during emergencies.
Elephant tourism in Thailand surged by 70% between 2010 and 2020, yet concerns persist as 63% of these elephants reportedly live in poor conditions, facing exploitation and inadequate care, prompting calls for systematic improvements in how elephants are used.

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.