China urges Thailand to maintain utility bans in Myanmar

13 Sept 21:52 Key points summarised by AI

China formally requested Thailand to maintain its cuts on electricity, fuel, and internet services in five Myanmar locations, emphasizing their effectiveness against scam call centers.
This request is part of a comprehensive four-point proposal from China to Thailand, aimed at tackling the proliferation of scam call centers in Myanmar and facilitating the repatriation of victims.
Thailand is actively involved in transferring and processing over 1,200 individuals, predominantly Chinese nationals, from Myanmar, who were victims of these scam operations.
China also proposed implementing tighter border controls to prevent scammers from fleeing and enhancing trilateral cooperation between China, Thailand, and Myanmar to address the issue while respecting sovereignty.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

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.