Over half of Thais may fall into debt due to overspending - NESDC

13 Sept 13:04 Key points summarised by AI

Over 50% of working Thais have less than six months' salary in savings, making them highly susceptible to debt due to their habit of overspending.
A significant portion of Thais, one in three, prioritize purchasing luxury items and premium services to boost their image, escalating their risk of becoming overburdened by debt.
Spending habits vary by gender: Thai men often buy brand-name products and electronic gadgets for social status, while women tend to spend lavishly on food, cosmetics, and fashionable clothing.
Despite a slowing growth rate due to tighter lending, Thailand's overall household debt reached an estimated 16.42 trillion baht last year, increasing by 0.2% year-on-year.

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.