Phnom Penh accused of fabricating chemical weapons claim

26 Sept 13:22 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence alleged Thai forces used chemical weapons, specifically 'poison gas,' in attacks on Cambodian territory.
Thailand vehemently denied these 'baseless' claims, calling them a 'systematic distortion of facts' designed to mislead the international community.
Thai officials provided evidence that images supporting Cambodia's claims were 'doctored,' with one photo misrepresenting a fire retardant drop as a chemical attack.
Thailand affirmed its commitment to peace but reserved the right to self-defense, further accusing Cambodia of violating humanitarian principles and exploiting civilians for propaganda.

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.