Thaksin behind bars? Experts skeptical over former PM’s latest pledge

2 Oct 11:46 Key points summarised by AI

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra pledged to return to Thailand and serve his prison sentence, irrespective of the upcoming May 14 general election results.
Analysts widely view this declaration as a strategic maneuver to garner voter support for his proxy Pheu Thai Party and secure a landslide victory.
The move aims to enhance Pheu Thai's bargaining power, potentially enabling Thaksin to negotiate his return under favorable political conditions.
However, experts caution that Thaksin's gamble could backfire by galvanizing conservative parties to unite and prevent Pheu Thai's return to power.
Ultimately, Thaksin's actual return is considered contingent on Pheu Thai successfully winning the election and forming the next government.

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.