“Anwar is a spy” claim by Thai retired general angers Malaysians

11 Sept 04:34 Key points summarised by AI

A Thai retired general, Rangsi Kitiyansap, publicly accused Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of being a "spy" interfering in the Thai-Cambodian conflict, sparking significant anger in Malaysian political circles.
Malaysian lawmakers expressed shock and demanded diplomatic action, with one MP calling for the Foreign Ministry to address Rangsi's claims that Anwar was a "traitor" and an "American spy."
Malaysia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin dismissed the accusations, stating that the government would not respond to statements lacking diplomatic authority and affirmed the Thai Prime Minister's recognition of Anwar's role in facilitating peace talks.
Gen Rangsi, known for his combative rhetoric and past controversies, made the unsubstantiated claims during a television interview, criticizing the recent peace deal signed in Kuala Lumpur.

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.