Lak Phra festival proceeds in Yala, despite bomb threats from insurgents

11 Sept 13:21 Key points summarised by AI

The traditional Lak Phra festival in Yala, marking the end of Buddhist Lent, began under heightened security due to insurgent threats.
Three pipe bombs detonated near the festival site, believed to be an intimidation tactic by insurgents, but no one was injured.
Organizers confirmed the three-day festival would continue as scheduled, despite the explosions and recent violent incidents in the southern provinces.
Recent insurgent activities include a gold shop robbery in Narathiwat and an ATM bombing in Pattani, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the region.

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.