Three foreign tourists die after dinking methanol-tainted booze in Laos

13 Sept 15:27 Key points summarised by AI

Three foreign tourists (two Danish, one US national) died, and two Australian tourists are critically ill, after consuming alcohol allegedly tainted with methanol in Vang Vieng, Laos.
Police are investigating the source of the methanol, which was illegally added to alcohol. Many affected tourists had stayed at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which had offered free 'Lao vodka' shots, though the exact source of the tainted drink is under scrutiny.
Foreign affairs departments have confirmed the deaths and updated travel advisories for Laos, urging travelers to be alert to potential risks, especially with spirit-based drinks and cocktails.

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.