From allies to election enemies: Pheu Thai and Move Forward go to war
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From allies to election enemies: Pheu Thai and Move Forward go to war
21 Sept 06:11Key points summarised by AI
Thailand's two largest opposition parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, have shifted from allies to fierce rivals, intensely competing for the same liberal and pro-democracy voter base in the upcoming general election.
Pheu Thai aims for a landslide victory to form a single-party government, explicitly viewing Move Forward as a 'must-kill' competitor rather than a potential coalition partner.
Both parties, led by new-generation politicians, are aggressively campaigning to attract young and first-time voters, engaging in public and social media sparring over their commitment to democratic causes and anti-coup credentials.
While Move Forward strongly resonates with Gen Z through its progressive ideology, Pheu Thai leverages its populist policies and experienced candidates, with new electoral rules potentially benefiting its bid for more parliamentary seats.
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.