More Thai youth turning to easily accessible e-cigarettes

13 Sept 05:18 Key points summarised by AI

Young Thai smokers, including e-cigarette users, are increasing, with a 17% rise in 2022, spending an estimated 26,000 baht annually.
The surge is attributed to easily accessible online e-cigarette sales, causing severe health issues like lung inflammation, as evidenced by a 13-year-old who started vaping and developed lung problems by age 15.

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.