National Day becomes Thailand’s latest political dividing point

13 Sept 13:21 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's National Day, traditionally observed on December 5 (King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday), has become a contentious political issue.
The Move Forward Party advocates for shifting the National Day to June 24, commemorating the 1932 Siamese Revolution that transformed Thailand into a constitutional monarchy.
This proposed change reignites a historical debate, as June 24 was previously recognized as National Day before being replaced by December 5 to align with monarchical traditions and honor the late King.

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.