Analysts widely predict a short tenure for Paetongtarn Shinawatra, citing her inexperience and the immediate "pitch-black turbulence" she faces as prime minister.
Her ascent is viewed as a last resort, not a conspiracy, burdened by the high-risk Digital Wallet policy and the complex legal issues surrounding her father, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Survival hinges on navigating intense political polarization, potential integrity complaints, and the near-impossible task of distancing herself from her family's legal troubles.
To exceed expectations, she must significantly temper the Digital Wallet, keep Yingluck Shinawatra abroad, and strictly avoid interference in Thaksin's legal matters.
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.