Democrat disarray: What’s behind the dramatic decline of Thailand’s oldest party?

13 Sept 08:27 Key points summarised by AI

The Democrat Party's dramatic decline is attributed to its rigid hierarchical structure, entrenched seniority system, and regionalism, stifling new ideas and innovation.
Attempts to attract young voters and integrate youthful politicians failed, leading to a mass exodus of younger members and a struggle to appeal to new generations.
The party has suffered a string of high-profile defections, including veteran members and heavyweights, fueled by internal conflicts and a leadership crisis.
Electoral performance has plummeted, notably in the 2019 election where the party lost significant seats in traditional strongholds like Bangkok and the South.
Analysts warn that only radical reform, including empowering young politicians and changing the party's conservative culture, can revive its fortunes and prevent further decline.

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.