Southern floods claim 145 lives, Songkhla hit hardest

13 Sept 13:24 Key points summarised by AI

Southern floods have tragically claimed 145 lives, making it one of Thailand's largest disaster casualties, with Songkhla province reporting the highest toll at 110.
As floodwaters recede, authorities anticipate a rise in fatalities as more bodies are discovered in previously inaccessible areas, particularly in Hat Yai.
The Public Health Ministry has established Prince of Songkla University Hospital as the central hub for managing recovered bodies, deploying forensic specialists and mobile cold-storage units to aid identification and support affected families.
The official death toll remains fluid, with the government emphasizing that numbers will only be released once verified by the Public Health Ministry to prevent public confusion.

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.