Phichit is last minute addition to Srettha’s cabinet

23 Sept 06:58 Key points summarised by AI

Phichit Chuenban, a long-time legal counsel for the Shinawatra family, was a last-minute addition to Prime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin's cabinet as PM Office Minister.
His appointment is widely perceived as part of the Shinawatra quota, reflecting his close legal ties to Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Phichit previously served a six-month jail term in 2008 for bribery related to Thaksin's land case, which also resulted in a five-year suspension of his law license.
Despite his past imprisonment, he is legally eligible for the ministerial role as his jailing was by court order, not a conviction that would disqualify him.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.