Paetongtarn digs her heels, calls for unity, blasts Hun Sen

15 Sept 08:31 Key points summarised by AI

Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for national unity against a "threat to national security" following the leaked recording of her private conversation with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen.
She defended her critical remarks about Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang as a "negotiating tactic" aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the border disputes with Cambodia.
Paetongtarn criticized Hun Sen for his "unacceptable conduct" in leaking their private conversation, confirming that Thailand's Foreign Ministry summoned the Cambodian Ambassador to issue a protest.
She did not address demands for her resignation, despite critics viewing her leaked comments, which included pleading for sympathy from Hun Sen, as subservient.

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.