Veteran Lao diplomat named Asean special envoy to Myanmar

13 Sept 14:28 Key points summarised by AI

Laos appointed veteran diplomat Alounkeo Kittikhoun as the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, effective January 1, ahead of the upcoming foreign ministerial retreat.
Kittikhoun's swift appointment signals Laos' serious commitment to implementing the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus to address the Myanmar crisis.
The envoy's role is to build on previous chairs' achievements, assisting Myanmar in finding a durable, inclusive, and peaceful solution led by Myanmar.
The upcoming retreat in Luang Prabang will also outline Laos' broader ASEAN agenda, focusing on 'Connectivity and Resilience' and nine priority areas for community integration.

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.