Potential knock-out blows in censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn

13 Sept 10:37 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Paetongtarn faces a censure debate over her alleged unsuitability, irresponsibility, and accusations of being a "puppet prime minister" influenced by her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Debate rules, banning direct mention of Thaksin but allowing "family members," inadvertently empower the opposition to broaden allegations of undue family influence over the government.
The People's Party-led opposition aims for a "knock-out blow," seeking to expose alleged secret deals behind Thaksin's controversial return and parole, while impressing voters.
Despite the ruling coalition's parliamentary majority, the government could still be vulnerable if the opposition presents irrefutable evidence of a major scandal or if General Prawit Wongsuwan delivers damaging revelations against Thaksin.

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.