Can Thammanat deliver death blow to teetering govt in censure debate?

13 Sept 07:46 Key points summarised by AI

Thammanat Prompow's Thai Economic Party withdrew from the ruling coalition, a strategic move following a by-election loss and ongoing tensions with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Analysts are divided on the immediate impact on the upcoming censure debate; some believe the government can still secure votes, while others see it as a significant threat to its razor-thin majority.
Thammanat, a known powerbroker, aims to enhance his political standing and could potentially rally support from 40+ MPs, including the 'Group of 16,' to vote against targeted ministers.
The outcome remains uncertain, with experts suggesting Thammanat might use the debate as a bargaining tool, potentially leading to split votes among his faction, rather than a full defection to the opposition.

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.