Big bang

Firefighters spent more than seven hours putting out a fire from an exploding gas tanker. The truck crashed into Khlong Ban Pa Bridge on Pattanakarn Road on March 23. Three people were seriously injured in the explosion.

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Shocking scores

O-NET results worse this year

Matayom 6 students performed poorly in five core subjects of the recent Ordinary National Education Test, compared with last year’s scores.

With a total score of 100, students returned an average score in Thai language of 41.88, compared with 42.61 last year. Social studies scores averaged at 33.39 (46.51 last year), science at 27.90 (30.90 last year), physical education and health studies at 54.61 (62.86 last year) and arts at 28.54 (32.62 last year).

Average scores in English, career and technology learning and math improved slightly compared with last year’s results.

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Hospital help

Teen blood tests to be allowed

A medical subcommittee has approved a new regulation that allows teenagers under 18 to undergo tests for HIV/Aids at general hospitals and clinics without their parents’ consent.

Somsak Lohlekha, chairman of the subcommittee and adviser to the Medical Council of Thailand, said on March 23 that his committee would forward its resolution to the Medical Council for approval. The regulation, if approved, will take effect in April.

Blood tests on a voluntary basis would benefit teenagers, Somsak said, adding that all medical records would be kept confidential.

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EASY NEWS FOR M1-3

Dangerous goods

Man arrested with weapons

Police arrested a man on March 26. He had illegal weapons at his house in Chiang Rai. Police found 10 grenades and other explosive devices. The man said he was hired to bring the weapons to people near the border of Thailand and Myanmar.