US sailors, Marines free to explore Pattaya, but cannabis shops off limits

13 Sept 17:14 Key points summarised by AI

Approximately 5,000 US sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived for a five-day shore leave in Pattaya, marking their first port call in nine months after a long deployment.
Personnel face specific restrictions, including a ban on visiting cannabis shops, engaging in high-risk water activities like jet skiing, and a 2 AM curfew for nightlife areas, all aimed at ensuring their safety.
Pattaya City clarified that these are US military-imposed safety rules, not a general ban on city attractions, and confirmed all tourist areas remain open to the public.
The visit is anticipated to be a significant economic boon for local businesses, offering the crew a much-needed opportunity to rest and recharge after 286 days at sea.

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.