Potjaman, Paetongtarn and Thaksin: the power triangle behind Pheu Thai

15 Sept 06:00 Key points summarised by AI

Khunying Potjaman Damapong, Thaksin's ex-wife and believed de-facto Pheu Thai chief, made a rare public appearance signaling the party's readiness for the upcoming general election and aiming to consolidate support.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest daughter, is being promoted as the party's election campaign head and a leading prime ministerial candidate, leveraging her family's legacy to attract voters despite her relative inexperience.
Thaksin Shinawatra remains a central, influential figure, with his daughter's pledge to 'bring him home' being a key, yet potentially controversial, campaign promise that risks reigniting political instability.
This 'power triangle' represents a strategic family-driven effort to reclaim political dominance, with each member playing a distinct but interconnected role in Pheu Thai's bid for a landslide victory, despite potential challenges like dynastic criticism and political backlash.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.