Thailand’s train drivers in the spotlight after Bangkok catastrophe

11 Sept 11:56 Key points summarised by AI

A catastrophic train accident in Bangkok on May 16, resulting in eight deaths and over 30 injuries, has brought Thailand's train drivers and railway safety into sharp national focus.
The driver involved tested positive for methamphetamine and cannabis and did not possess the newly required official train driver's license, raising serious concerns about the State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) screening and monitoring protocols.
Becoming a train driver is a demanding process, requiring extensive training and on-the-ground experience (over seven years) to navigate high-risk environments, including numerous level crossings where safety rules are often ignored.
The State Railway Workers’ Union attributes ongoing safety challenges to severe understaffing, highlighting a significant shortage of drivers and the fact that only a fraction of current drivers have obtained the new mandatory licenses.

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.