Wildfires spread across Chiang Mai, prompting arrest warning

23 Sept 05:56 Key points summarised by AI

Chiang Mai authorities issued a directive for immediate arrests of anyone encroaching on conserved forests, aiming to curb widespread wildfires.
Over 240 hotspots were reported in Chiang Mai, many in inaccessible high mountains, with officials suspecting deliberate arson by encroachers.
The wildfires are significantly worsening PM2.5 pollution, though air quality has shown slight improvement in some areas, shifting from 'Purple' to 'Red' or 'Orange' categories.
All northern provinces, including Chiang Mai, continue to report PM2.5 levels above acceptable limits, with other provinces like Nan and Chiang Rai also detecting high numbers of hotspots.

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.