BoT maintains policy rate at one percent

14 Sept 05:30 Key points summarised by AI

The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously maintained the benchmark policy rate at 1%, its lowest level since late 2022.
This decision aims to avoid economic risks, with the BoT anticipating lower inflation next year that will only temporarily exceed the target.
Thailand's economic growth is projected to moderate to 1.5% this year, impacted by global conflicts raising business costs and affecting tourism, though exports and government stimuli offer some support.
The current policy rate is considered appropriate to support economic recovery, leveraging low borrowing costs due to negative headline inflation, a contrast to monetary tightening by regional peers.

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.