PEA senior officials suspended after DSI raids linked to Bitcoin mining

13 Sept 06:14 Key points summarised by AI

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided homes of senior and retired Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) officials, suspecting their involvement in aiding illegal Bitcoin mining operations.
Officials are accused of providing safe houses and electricity for energy-intensive mining in exchange for monthly financial rewards, leading to the seizure of 19 million baht in cash and bank deposits.
Three active PEA officials, including an assistant governor, have been suspended pending a disciplinary investigation, with the PEA vowing strict legal action against those found guilty.
The PEA estimates annual losses of several billion baht due to electricity theft, while the DSI has dismantled five illegal Bitcoin mining operations and seized over 3,600 machines.

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.