Thai Defence minister signals possible closure of border points if talk fails

14 Sept 05:33 Key points summarised by AI

Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned of potential border checkpoint closures with Cambodia if Joint Border Committee (JBC) negotiations fail to resolve ongoing disputes.
The warning follows a recent clash at Chong Bok pass, where Cambodian troops entered 'No Man's Land,' prompting an upcoming JBC session on June 14 to address the sovereignty dispute.
Thailand reiterated its stance not to recognize the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Cambodia's referral of disputes over four ancient temples.
The minister is scheduled to hold a National Security Council meeting to assess developments, while Cambodia plans live-fire naval exercises with Chinese warships near disputed islands.

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.