Thai central bank cuts policy rate to 1.50 percent

10 Sept 21:12 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's central bank unanimously reduced its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to a two-year low of 1.50% with immediate effect.
This accommodative monetary policy aims to support businesses, particularly vulnerable SMEs, and alleviate economic burdens amidst challenges from US trade policies, despite projections for economic expansion in 2025-2026.

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.