Smoke from neighbouring provinces worsens Bangkok air quality

13 Sept 11:05 Key points summarised by AI

Bangkok's air quality significantly worsened on January 28, with average PM2.5 levels reaching 55.6 µg/m³ due to air stagnation.
The pollution surge is primarily caused by extensive agricultural burning and forest fires in neighboring provinces, with a massive 1,700 sq km smoke pall drifting into the city.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt warned of rising PM2.5 levels, particularly in eastern suburbs, and advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and wear face masks.
While pollution was predicted to ease later in the day, the Air Quality Information Centre reported PM2.5 levels exceeding 37.5 µg/m³ across Bangkok, with districts like Nong Chok and Min Buri recording the highest concentrations.

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.