Famous herbal inhaler ‘Formula 2’ fails Thai FDA inspection

10 Sept 13:01 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a batch of the popular ‘Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler, Formula 2’ (Lot 000332) is contaminated with harmful microorganisms, violating public health standards.
The FDA urges consumers to exercise caution with the affected batch, while confirming other formulas (1, 3, 4) are safe, and is now considering legal action against those responsible.
The incident highlights the strict 2019 Herbal Products Act, which imposes severe penalties, including prison time and hefty fines, for manufacturing or selling substandard herbal products like the culturally iconic Hong Thai inhaler.

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.