Thai consumers feel the pinch of rising prices triggered by Iran war

13 Sept 11:46 Key points summarised by AI

The Iran war has caused a rapid increase in energy prices, severely impacting Thai consumers already burdened by high household debt.
The Thai government's intervention to subsidize energy, particularly diesel, has led to a significant 62-billion-baht deficit in the Oil Fuel Fund, prompting expectations of further state measures.
Thailand's inflation, previously negative, is projected to rise sharply to 3.4% in 2026, posing a more serious risk than past energy crises due to direct targeting of energy infrastructure.
Economic growth is expected to slow significantly, impacting workers with stagnant wages and higher costs, while consumers shift towards 'value-conscious consumption,' prioritizing price and promotions.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 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.