Thailand urges gradual reset of ties with Cambodia at China-hosted talks
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Thailand urges gradual reset of ties with Cambodia at China-hosted talks
21 Sept 18:24Key points summarised by AI
Thailand emphasized a step-by-step approach to normalizing relations with Cambodia during a China-hosted tripartite meeting, prioritizing peace and mutual trust after recent military clashes.
The meeting in Kunming, involving foreign ministers from Thailand, Cambodia, and China, occurred just two days after a peace agreement and ceasefire were signed to end hostilities and de-escalate tensions.
Both Thailand and Cambodia expressed gratitude for China's mediating role in easing the cross-border tensions that had previously led to downgraded diplomatic ties.
Thailand proposed immediate confidence-building measures, including the potential release of 18 soldiers and the return of Thai nationals, while both nations agreed to further discussions on demining, reducing hostilities, and tackling cross-border issues.
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.