Thailand needs a more proactive foreign policy

13 Sept 17:55 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's foreign policy is criticized as passive and conservative, resulting in a loss of its leadership position within ASEAN to more proactive nations like Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Experts attribute this passivity to domestic political uncertainties and a disconnect between bureaucratic interests and the actual needs of the Thai people, hindering a more assertive international approach.
Despite hosting significant events like the APEC Summit, Thailand failed to capitalize on these opportunities to project influence, unlike Indonesia, which actively pursued a mediator role in global conflicts.
Analysts affirm Thailand's potential and its officials' capabilities to adopt a more proactive and non-aligned foreign policy, stressing that political will and courage are essential for implementing such necessary changes.

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.