World body bans pétanque from SEA Games in Thailand

10 Sept 22:28 Key points summarised by AI

The World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) has banned all pétanque competitions from the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand, citing a dispute with the country's sports leadership.
The ban stems from allegations of "irresponsible conduct" by a former president of the Pétanque Federation of Thailand (FPT), including misuse of funds, "rigged elections," and "sexual assault."
WPBF claims Thailand's Sports Authority (SAT) reneged on an agreement to resolve the crisis, effectively supporting the criticized leader.
Any federation or member participating in the banned events will face exclusion from all world competitions until 2027, costing Thailand potential medals and titles.

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.