Commerce Minister Suphajee plans revamp to curb living costs

11 Sept 05:07 Key points summarised by AI

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun is restructuring the Ministry of Commerce, empowering the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to lead efforts against the rising cost of living amidst economic and geopolitical challenges.
The strategic plan involves recruiting specialized talent, deploying more commerce inspectors, forming an advisory team of economists, and adopting a 'cluster model' to foster collaboration across government, private sector, and farmers.
The ministry is actively addressing chemical fertilizer shortages and price hikes by negotiating safe passage for stalled shipments, securing alternative supplies from Russia, and planning gradual price adjustments to minimize impact on farmers.
Suphajee is engaging with manufacturers requesting price increases for essential consumer goods like bottled palm oil, shampoo, and soap, aiming to stagger any hikes and prevent product disappearances from shelves.

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.