PM says controversial land bridge project can wait

14 Sept 20:48 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the controversial land bridge project can be delayed, prioritizing upgrades to existing seaports in Ranong and Chumphon.
Despite the delay, the land bridge remains a flagship policy, with further studies continuing; however, urgent land-based logistics infrastructure connecting Ranong and Chumphon remains a key objective.
A prominent business leader suggested a 5-10 year delay, advocating for a rail link first, while approximately 400 local residents protested the projects, citing environmental concerns and doubts about economic benefits.
The proposed one-trillion-baht land bridge aims to link deep-sea ports in Chumphon and Ranong via an 89km motorway, dual-track railway, and oil pipelines to bypass the congested Strait of Malacca.

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.