Winners & losers in latest charter showdown

13 Sept 13:17 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's charter amendment efforts are stalled by a three-way political struggle involving conservatives, the People's Party, and the strategically cautious Pheu Thai Party.
A Constitutional Court ruling requiring a public referendum before a new charter can be drafted has escalated tensions, setting the stage for a potential 'referendum war'.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party, while ostensibly supporting amendment, aligns with conservatives by insisting on protecting Chapters 1 and 2 (monarchy and political system), prioritizing stability over radical change.
Deep divisions led to parliamentary boycotts and quorum collapses, delaying crucial debates on charter amendment bills and highlighting the entrenched opposition to significant constitutional reform.

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.