Government urges central bank to cut policy interest rate today

13 Sept 08:00 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Cabinet has formally urged the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut the current policy rate of 2.25% due to persistent low inflation.
This marks the second letter from the administration, emphasizing the need for monetary policy to align with the government’s fiscal policy as inflation remains below the 1-3% target range.
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul believes a rate cut would positively impact the economy by boosting cash flow, referencing a previous 25-basis point cut in October that improved the economic system.
While the government hopes for a positive response, the decision rests with the MPC, with experts also calling for harmonized fiscal and monetary policies complemented by new government measures.

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.