Hun Sen claims 18 captured Cambodian soldiers are hostages not PoWs

15 Sept 16:44 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen asserts 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand are "hostages," not prisoners of war, accusing Thailand of using them as a bargaining chip.
He criticizes the lack of international intervention and application of international law to secure the soldiers' release, questioning the silence of a human rights rapporteur.
Hun Sen states Cambodia will not retaliate against alleged Thai provocations, emphasizing respect for a recent joint declaration between the two nations.
He insists that demining efforts must be mutually agreed upon and undertaken by both sides, warning against unilateral actions as potential pretexts for invasion.
Cambodia denies any of its troops were killed on Thai soil, asserting that only Thai troops sustained casualties within their own territory.

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.