Chartthaipattana cashes in legacy and bets big on Bhumjaithai for election

13 Sept 13:49 Key points summarised by AI

The once-prominent Chartthaipattana party, facing a steep decline in influence since its 1990s heyday, has seen all 10 of its MPs, including leader Varawut Silpa-archa, strategically defect to the ruling Bhumjaithai Party.
This mass defection is viewed as a calculated gamble by Chartthaipattana's members to secure greater political influence and resources within the next government, aligning with Bhumjaithai, a favored party in the upcoming general election.
Despite the exodus of its parliamentary representation, Chartthaipattana will continue to exist under new leadership, framing the move as a "major strategic adjustment" even as critics question the trade-off of its historical political legacy for immediate political gain.

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.