Explainer: Why Thailand’s social security system faces pressure for major reform

21 Sept 07:46 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Social Security Office (SSO) faces intense pressure for major reform due to widespread criticism over lavish spending, inefficient operations, and a lack of transparency, raising concerns about the system's long-term stability.
Specific allegations of mismanagement include extravagant overseas trips for executives, a poorly performing 276 million baht mobile application, untransparent annual calendar contracts worth 50-70 million baht, and a ballooning operating budget with an inefficient call center.
Critics advocate for the SSO to be transformed into an independent agency, free from bureaucratic control under the Labour Ministry, to ensure professional oversight, robust auditing, and increased transparency, as its subscriber-funded nature currently limits parliamentary scrutiny.
Recommendations for reform include raising the outdated wage ceiling for contributions, expanding coverage to currently excluded groups like migrant workers and informal laborers, and tightening budget controls to ensure the Social Security Fund's sustainability for its 24 million subscribers.

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.