FM Maris confirms Thailand to host “ASEAN Troika Plus” on Myanmar

11 Sept 19:12 Key points summarised by AI

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa confirmed Thailand will host the “ASEAN Troika Plus” meeting later this year to address the Myanmar crisis, a move endorsed by ASEAN that recognizes Thailand's role in seeking a peaceful solution.
Maris outlined Thailand's foreign policy priorities, emphasizing “proactive diplomacy” and “diplomacy for the people” to engage key countries, particularly ASEAN, on regional challenges.
Key agenda items include tackling transboundary issues like narcotics, water management, call scams, and air pollution, alongside fostering peace in southern provinces through economic cooperation with Malaysia.
To boost tourism and attract global talent, Thailand is introducing a “Destination Thailand Visa” for long-term stays (up to 180 days) and promoting a “six countries, one destination” single tourist visa policy.
The Foreign Ministry also plans to actively promote Thailand’s “soft power” by staging Thai festivals in at least 30 countries worldwide by 2025 to showcase local products and culture.

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.