What’s behind the tight Thailand-US embrace?

14 Sept 01:47 Key points summarised by AI

The United States is actively re-engaging Thailand through high-level visits and strategic agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation across defense, economy, and public health, largely to counter China's growing regional influence.
Thailand practices 'bamboo diplomacy,' skillfully balancing its long-standing alliance with the US against its significant economic and strategic ties with China to secure national interests.
Recent US overtures are particularly appealing to Thailand due to growing pressures from China, including stalled infrastructure projects, military procurement issues, and concerns over China's assertiveness in the Mekong and broader region.
Thailand's crucial geostrategic position in mainland Southeast Asia makes it a vital partner for the US in maintaining regional stability and countering China's expanding military and economic footprint.

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.