Thailand bets on opening ceremony to silence criticism over SEA Games prep

13 Sept 02:31 Key points summarised by AI

Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn defends Thailand's readiness to host the 33rd SEA Games, despite public criticism over its preparations.
The minister asserts that the opening ceremony on December 9 will address all doubts regarding the country's organizational capabilities for the event.
Logistical changes include delisting Songkhla as a host city due to severe flooding, with all events successfully relocated to Bangkok and Chon Buri without altering the competition schedule.
The Games are projected to generate over 15 billion baht for the economy, featuring 50 official sports and offering 574 gold medals.

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.