Thailand braces for impact, prepares countermeasures : Thai PM

13 Sept 12:12 Key points summarised by AI

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced government measures, including negotiations and import tax restructuring, to counter the US's new 36% reciprocal tariffs on Thai exports.
Despite the high tariff, the PM projects a limited impact on Thailand's economic growth, citing an average 9% actual tax increase, and emphasizes maintaining GDP growth through strategic talks and tax adjustments once specific affected exports are identified.

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.