US ambassador-nominee pledges to help Thais pressure Myanmar junta

14 Sept 12:36 Key points summarised by AI

US ambassador-nominee Robert F. Godec pledged to press Thailand to reduce its reliance on oil and gas from neighboring Myanmar.
This initiative aims to increase pressure on Myanmar's ruling military junta, which is committing "horrifying atrocities."
Thailand's state-run PTT is a significant financial contributor to the junta, purchasing about 80% of Myanmar's exported natural gas, generating approximately U.S. $1 billion annually.
Godec stated that all options, including further actions in the oil and gas sector, are being considered to increase pressure on the Burmese regime.

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.