'Kiki!’ – the war cry that sparked a battle during Thai censure debate

16 Sept 02:53 Key points summarised by AI

A Thai censure debate targeting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was unexpectedly derailed by a heated argument over the word 'Kiki,' overshadowing initial accusations of tax avoidance.
Opposition MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn alleged the PM avoided over 200 million baht in tax during a 2016 family stock transfer, an accusation Paetongtarn vehemently denied.
Wiroj ignited the linguistic battle by branding ruling party MPs 'Kiki,' referencing weak henchmen from a 1970s Japanese superhero series to dismiss their protests.
Ruling party members, led by Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai, demanded Wiroj retract the term, asserting that 'Kiki' is vulgar Tagalog slang for 'vagina' and an insult to female politicians.
The 'Kiki' controversy quickly went viral on social media, diverting public attention from the tax allegations and prompting widespread searches for the word's meaning, as the debate over its interpretation continues.

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.