Trump’s tariff onslaught raises Great Depression worries

13 Sept 06:31 Key points summarised by AI

President Trump's imposition of higher tariffs, including a 36% levy on Thailand, ignites fears of a global economic downturn akin to the Great Depression, threatening Thailand's export-driven economy.
The US justifies its tariffs by citing Thailand's high import duties, non-tariff barriers, and contentious customs practices that impede American goods from entering its market.
Economists forecast a significant reduction in Thailand's GDP growth due to the tariffs, suggesting the country has limited leverage and may need to concede to US demands to reduce trade barriers.
To counter the economic fallout, analysts advise Thailand to diversify export markets, strengthen other trade relations, enhance domestic competitiveness, and actively pursue new trade agreements.

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.