Does court ruling signal the end of PM Prayut’s time in power?

13 Sept 14:13 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Constitutional Court unanimously accepted a petition to review PM Prayut Chan-o-cha's eight-year term limit and voted 5:4 to suspend him from duty immediately.
First Deputy PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has assumed the role of caretaker head of government following Prayut's suspension, though the extent of his powers is debated.
The court will interpret Article 158 of the Constitution, with three possible start dates for Prayut's term (2014, 2017, or 2019), each with different implications for his future in office.
Experts suggest the suspension signals a high probability of an unfavorable verdict for Prayut, which could ease ongoing street protests, while a ruling in his favor would likely reignite them.
The court's decision on Prayut's tenure could be issued within September or take at least two months, as it's an unprecedented case requiring thorough review of facts and charter drafters' intent.

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.