Civil groups say doctor unfairly targeted in Health Ministry probe

13 Sept 12:26 Key points summarised by AI

Civil society groups in Thailand are demanding justice for Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, president of the Rural Doctor Society, who was dismissed for alleged corruption in COVID-19 test kit procurement.
Groups claim Dr. Supat was unfairly targeted due to his active role in combating corruption within the Public Health Ministry and exposing alleged ties between officials and pharmaceutical firms.
Dr. Supat defends his actions, stating his hospital procured test kits with its own funds during the pandemic when the ministry couldn't supply them, facilitating extensive testing and treatment.
Civil society calls for the immediate transfer of the public health permanent secretary and full disclosure of the investigation details, while Dr. Supat maintains he provided all information to disciplinary committees before his dismissal.

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.