Cambodians set fires near border, smoke affects Thailand

14 Sept 01:48 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodian troops and civilians are deliberately starting forest fires near the Thai border, causing thick smoke to drift into Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani and Sa Kaeo provinces.
In one instance, fires allegedly started by Cambodian troops in Oddar Meanchey province unexpectedly blew smoke and flames back towards Cambodian communities due to a sudden wind change.
The Thai Army has dismissed a Cambodian allegation that its troops shot and wounded a Cambodian soldier, stating the injury did not appear to be caused by a bullet.

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.