Dr Supat Hasuwannakit: Thailand’s COVID hero faces govt backlash

17 Sept 21:52 Key points summarised by AI

Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, a renowned public health advocate, faces dismissal from his post after a Public Health Ministry probe found him guilty of “serious offenses.”
The charges stem from his actions during the 2021 COVID-19 peak, where he independently procured and distributed free, much-needed antigen test kits in Bangkok, an effort widely credited with saving lives.
Supporters contend that Dr. Supat is being unfairly targeted for his consistent and vocal criticism of the government's pandemic mismanagement and other public health policies.
Numerous medical and civil society groups have rallied to his defense, demanding the disciplinary action be revoked and calling for an investigation into the ministry's motives.

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.