A free and open Indo-Pacific a common vision – US Secretary of Defence

15 Sept 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin's inaugural official visit to Thailand affirmed the strong US-Thai alliance and America's enduring commitment to its Asian partners.
Austin underscored the shared vision for a "free and open Indo-Pacific," emphasizing it as a common belief among allies, founded on a rules-based international order, not an imposed policy.
He reiterated US concerns over China's growing coercion and increased military activity near Taiwan, advocating for honest competition while rejecting conflict or the division of regions into hostile blocs.
Discussions with Thai leadership focused on deepening bilateral defense cooperation, expanding joint exercises, and integrating new areas like cyber and space to enhance regional stability and bolster Thailand's defense capabilities.

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.