Phra Yantra: The ‘handsome’ monk who defied a sex scandal – and Thai Sangha

10 Sept 23:32 Key points summarised by AI

Phra Yantra Amaro Bhikkhu, a once-popular and charismatic Thai monk, maintained his monastic identity until his death despite being defrocked in 1994 following a severe sex scandal.
He was accused of seducing female followers and fathering a child, allegations he denied and refused to address with a paternity test, leading the Sangha Supreme Council to order his disrobing.
Defying the council's decision, Yantra refused to abandon his vows, fled to the United States for political asylum, and continued to lead a monastery there, adopting non-traditional robes and appearance.
Throughout his later life, he insisted on his monk status during controversial return visits to Thailand and continued to attract followers, serving as a spiritual leader until his death at 73.

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.