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From whistleblower to suspect: Samart Jenchaijitwanich under shadow of iCon pyramid case

13 Sept 10:57 Key points summarised by AI

Samart Jenchaijitwanich, a former deputy spokesman and known anti-pyramid scheme advocate, was arrested and charged with extortion and money laundering in connection with the iCon Group fraud case.
Authorities allege Samart received millions from iCon Group executives via his mother's bank account, with an audio clip reportedly capturing him demanding payments.
The arrest represents a significant downfall for Samart, who previously gained recognition for exposing pyramid schemes, authoring related books, and campaigning for harsher penalties against their operators.
While his mother was granted bail, Samart's request for temporary release was denied by the Criminal Court, citing concerns he might tamper with evidence or the ongoing investigation.

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.