Dr Suphat, dismissed over corruption allegations, vows to appeal

13 Sept 05:46 Key points summarised by AI

Dr. Supat Hasuwankit, a vocal public health critic, was dismissed from civil service due to alleged corruption in the 2021 procurement of COVID-19 ATK test kits.
The Public Health Ministry confirmed the dismissal, stating the decision was straightforward and based on a fact-finding committee's findings, with no outside interference.
Dr. Suphat, who has been an outspoken government critic and recently resigned to contest an election, maintains his right to appeal the dismissal.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied any involvement in the decision, emphasizing it as an internal matter for the Public Health Ministry.

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.