Probe urged into abnormalities found in fish from Kok River

29 Sept 18:44 Key points summarised by AI

The Living River Siam Association (LRS) and local fishermen are urging authorities to investigate skin diseases on Kok River fish, suspecting a link to arsenic and heavy metal contamination.
Massive mining activities in Myanmar, largely by Chinese investors, are blamed for discharging waste contaminated with arsenic and other heavy metals into the Kok and Sai rivers, affecting Thailand.
Chiang Rai authorities have forbidden Kok River water consumption if arsenic levels are excessive, severely impacting local businesses along the river.
A forum organized by LRS highlighted the urgent need for dialogue between the Myanmar government, Thai government, ethnic Wa force, and China to address the environmental threats and protect dependent livelihoods.

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.