Thai military’s close ties with Myanmar junta compromising ASEAN efforts to resolve crisis

14 Sept 01:53 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's close military ties and lenient stance toward the Myanmar junta are undermining ASEAN and international efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis, which has led to thousands of deaths and over a million displaced.
A recent high-level meeting between Thai and Myanmar military chiefs, held shortly after assets of the junta leader's family were confiscated in Thailand, sparked suspicions about potential deals to clear assets or facilitate Tatmadaw's border operations.
Thailand further complicated regional efforts by holding a separate meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister, a move that bypassed ASEAN's unified approach and upset key members like Indonesia and Singapore.
Observers fear Thailand's actions may inadvertently legitimize the junta's status quo and plans for a controversial election, with activists hoping a new Thai government will align its foreign policy with ASEAN's position.

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.