Thailand’s attorney-general will not indict Paul Chambers

14 Sept 20:16 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's attorney-general cleared American academic Paul Chambers of a lèse majesté charge, citing insufficient evidence.
The decision concluded a contentious case where Chambers was accused of posting a statement deemed defamatory to the monarchy.
Chambers faced arrest and visa revocation following a complaint from the Third Army Region regarding an article on military and police reshuffles.
The attorney-general's final ruling, which overruled police opposition, confirmed there was no proof Chambers authored or posted the controversial content.
This outcome ensures Chambers' freedom, ending a case that drew significant attention from human rights organizations.

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.