Phumtham rejects claim linking deep South violence surge to Thaksin’s visit

14 Sept 04:35 Key points summarised by AI

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed claims that the recent surge in Deep South violence is linked to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's visit.
Phumtham attributed the violence to the fasting month of Ramadan, noting that insurgent activities typically increase during this period and were reported even before Thaksin's visit.
He stated that peace dialogue with the Barisan Revolusi Nasionale (BRN) would not resume until violence ceases, and discussed strategic plan adjustments for the region with the National Security Council.
The recent surge includes a car bomb attack in Narathiwat, killing two defence volunteers and injuring eight others, prompting Malaysia to advise its citizens against visiting Thailand's Deep South.

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.