Court suspension spells doom for Shinawatra-linked PMs

13 Sept 12:30 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Constitutional Court consistently intervenes in politics, frequently suspending or removing prime ministers, a pattern notably affecting leaders linked to the Shinawatra family.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the latest prime minister, faces suspension over an alleged breach of ministerial ethics stemming from a leaked phone call with former Cambodian PM Hun Sen.
This recent action follows a recurring trend where previous Shinawatra-linked PMs, including Srettha Thavisin, Yingluck Shinawatra, and Samak Sundaravej, were also removed by the court for various ethical or constitutional violations.
The court's readiness to accept petitions, often from political rivals, underscores the judiciary's immense power and influence over even electorally successful governments in Thailand.

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.