Oil hoarding probe targets 8 firms over pre-hike shortages

13 Sept 10:54 Key points summarised by AI

Police and the DSI have summoned eight companies for questioning over alleged oil hoarding and unusual practices detected between March 21 and 25.
The alleged hoarding occurred just before the Oil Fuel Fund Executive Committee raised fuel prices by six baht per litre on March 26, coinciding with nationwide shortages.
Investigators found significant irregularities, including major oil traders delivering less fuel than average and a 7.9 million-litre oil tanker deliberately delayed at sea.
Further evidence revealed 2.1 million litres of fuel diverted from service stations with trucks' GPS systems switched off during 15 trips, and 20 tanker trips unusually delayed.
Additional unauthorized activities include an oil trader selling bunker oil without permission and a jobber's depot illegally storing 40,000 litres of diesel.

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.