Inflows into Thai bond market defy oil shocks

10 Sept 15:00 Key points summarised by AI

Foreign investors injected 30 billion baht into Thai government and central bank bonds in H1, defying global economic uncertainty and oil shocks, partly driven by capital outflows from Indonesia.
Investor confidence in Thailand is bolstered by affirmed credit ratings, and its low foreign ownership in government bonds provides stability against significant capital flight.
Thailand's persistent fiscal deficits necessitate a high supply of government bonds, including new 'AomPlus' savings bonds, which will push public debt close to 70% of GDP to fund economic relief and energy transition.
While the central bank's policy rate is expected to remain at 1%, bond yields may slightly increase, and investors are advised to monitor potential corporate bond defaults amidst a K-shaped economic recovery.

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.