US ready for tariff talks with Thailand - Maris

13 Sept 10:23 Key points summarised by AI

The US is prepared to hold tariff discussions with Thailand, a development confirmed by Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
Thailand's Prime Minister has instructed a delegation, led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, to promptly meet with top US officials to negotiate for lower tariffs on Thai products.
The Thai delegation will present proposals to the US Commerce, Treasury, and Trade Representative officials, aiming to reduce the planned 36% tariff on Thai goods.
Thailand's proposals include opening its market to US maize and fruits, increasing imports of US energy and agricultural products, and promoting Thai investments in the US.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.