Thailand waging relentless battle against financial scams in digital era
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Thailand waging relentless battle against financial scams in digital era
12 Sept 00:39Key points summarised by AI
Thailand is aggressively combating digital financial scams by freezing "mule accounts," a measure that, while effective, has mistakenly impacted innocent individuals, prompting faster unfreezing protocols.
The rise of digital payment systems like PromptPay has fueled a surge in sophisticated scams, causing nearly 98 billion baht in losses since 2022, exacerbated by low public awareness and rapid fund transfers.
Authorities are implementing a multi-pronged strategy focusing on technology, regulation, and data sharing to prevent fraud, alongside public education campaigns to counter criminal tactics exploiting fear and greed.
Recent legislative actions and international cooperation have led to positive outcomes, including the closure of millions of mule accounts and reduced losses, though continuous vigilance is crucial as threats evolve.
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.