Doi Tao Lake runs dry, impending El Niño sparks drought fears in Chiang Mai

13 Sept 00:53 Key points summarised by AI

Doi Tao Lake, a vital Chiang Mai tourism landmark and upstream reservoir, has drastically dried up, severely impacting local fishermen, floating restaurants, and the regional tourism industry.
The receding waters have stranded businesses and transformed the lakebed into grazing land, rendering traditional fishing economically unfeasible for residents due to increased travel and fuel costs.
Local authorities are initiating contingency plans, including advising farmers on water-intensive crops and carefully managing water allocation, in anticipation of an impending El Niño-induced drought extending into next year.
The lake's depletion raises significant concerns for regional water security, as it directly contributes to the Bhumibol Dam, which currently holds only 56% of its capacity.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.