Temple accounts used to transfer over Bt300m to online gambling platform

13 Sept 22:47 Key points summarised by AI

Police uncovered that former abbot Yam Inkrunggao and his aide Ekkapote Phukang allegedly transferred over 300 million baht from Rai Khing Temple accounts.
These funds were funneled to "Arunyawan," an alleged broker for an online gambling platform, between 2020 and last year.
Both the former abbot and his ex-aide have been detained without bail by the Criminal Court due to the severe nature of their alleged financial misconduct.
Despite the scandal, Rai Khing Temple continues to draw numerous visitors who come to pay respects to the Buddha statue, emphasizing their faith over the abbot's actions.
The National Office of Buddhism has appointed Phra Ratchawachirasudaporn as the new acting abbot to oversee the temple.

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.