Firecrackers and other fireworks banned in Yala during Ramadan

11 Sept 23:02 Key points summarised by AI

Yala province has prohibited all fireworks and youth gatherings in public spaces during Ramadan (March 1-31) due to an upsurge in violence in the deep South.
The ban follows a recent insurgent attack in Su-ngai Kolok that killed two and injured 14, leading to heightened security and the identification of 17 suspects.

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.