Wealth and betrayal: Inside Thailand’s bitter family business feuds

13 Sept 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

An 80-year-old Thai grandmother, Premchit Kingphikun, is embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with her eldest son and three grandchildren over control and alleged embezzlement from their family petrol station businesses.
The conflict escalated after Premchit, recovering from surgery, discovered financial irregularities and faced stiff opposition, including security guards, when attempting to reassert management control.
Premchit's case is legally complex as the new business plot was purchased with her money but registered in her grandchildren's names, and the operating company isn't in her name, complicating proof of ownership.
Both sides present contrasting arguments: Premchit's lawyer cites financial records proving her investment, while the defendants claim the money was a gift and they established the businesses independently.
This family feud mirrors other Thai cases where parents have sued children for asset return due to 'ingratitude' under Section 531 of the Civil and Commercial Code, highlighting a recurring issue in family-run enterprises.

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.