New imports of Shine Muscat grapes are safe to eat - Thai FDA

13 Sept 13:35 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai FDA confirmed a new 6.9-tonne shipment of Chinese Shine Muscat grapes is safe for consumption, with tests showing chemical residues do not exceed permitted levels.
This heightened testing follows previous findings by the private organization Thai PAN, which reported excessive chemical residues in Chinese Shine Muscat grapes, causing public concern and financial losses for vendors.
Despite passing rigorous tests, the TFDA advises consumers to soak grapes in water with baking soda for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly as a precautionary measure.

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.