Public hearings on land bridge project to begin Friday

13 Sept 23:15 Key points summarised by AI

The government launches a new round of public hearings for a mega-land transport project, the 'Land Bridge', connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will chair the initial forums in Chumphon and Ranong on May 8th, welcoming all stakeholders to participate.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) affirms the project's value for local communities and the nation.
Stakeholders will review economic advantages and environmental tradeoffs, providing feedback for government consideration.
The minister commits to prioritizing public and national interests while addressing any potential disadvantages of the project.

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.