Thai, Lao PMs witness MoU signing to boost bilateral cooperation

10 Sept 12:21 Key points summarised by AI

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Laotian counterpart witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen multi-dimensional cooperation, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Thailand provided substantial financial and technical assistance to Laos, including funds for drug prevention, anti-venom serums, vocational training, and a water supply development project.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, addressing shared security challenges such as drug trafficking and transboundary haze, and supporting Laos's strategy to become a "land-linked" nation.

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.