Thai consulate issues health warning as Nipah virus spreads in West Bengal

13 Sept 19:59 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Consulate General in Kolkata issued a health warning regarding a Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, advising Thai nationals and pilgrims to exercise caution.
Five Nipah infections were confirmed among Indian nationals in Kolkata on January 12, prompting advice for Thai nationals to maintain strict hygiene and avoid unhygienic or raw foods, especially fruit.
Thailand's Department of Disease Control implemented health screenings for arrivals from Kolkata as a precaution, while experts recommend avoiding contact with wild animals (particularly fruit bats) and consuming fallen or bitten fruit to prevent infection.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.