Boonsin: Thai military won’t retreat from 11 key border sites

11 Sept 03:57 Key points summarised by AI

Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang affirmed the Thai military's refusal to withdraw from 11 strategically secured border areas, despite Cambodia's demands, stating all forces remain within Thai territory.
Thai troops have deployed and installed razor wire at these sites, including Phu Makua and Preah Vihear, to prevent any unlawful incursions and maintain control.
Cambodia's Defence Ministry specifically demanded a Thai retreat from Chong An Ma, an area where five unarmed Cambodian soldiers recently attempted to cut a barbed wire fence but retreated after discussions.
Boonsin expressed optimism for a favorable outcome from the ongoing Thai-Cambodian special General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at de-escalating tensions.

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.