Private sector advises government not to give too much in tariff talks with US

14 Sept 04:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thai private sector and a House committee warn the government against offering broad tariff exemptions for US imports in upcoming trade talks, fearing significant losses for local industries and SMEs.
Thailand's negotiating team plans to propose extensive tariff exemptions on US goods, aiming to reduce the current 36% US tariff on Thai imports and achieve competitiveness with other ASEAN nations.
Experts caution against mirroring Vietnam and Indonesia's full concessions, advocating for the protection of domestic SMEs and suggesting targeted aid for industries potentially impacted by increased US imports.
Thailand's 36% tariff on US imports significantly exceeds rates for other ASEAN nations (e.g., Indonesia 19%, Vietnam 20%), intensifying pressure to secure a more favorable trade deal.

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.