Democrats bet on Abhisit, tax cuts, and clean politics for election revival

13 Sept 09:49 Key points summarised by AI

Former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva spearheads the Democrats' campaign to win back disillusioned voters in a critical upcoming election, aiming to reverse significant past electoral losses.
The party's 27-point policy platform promises personal income tax cuts, increased welfare for vulnerable groups, truly free education, and a 30-baht maximum fare for public transport.
A central pillar of their campaign is a strong stance against 'grey money' in Thai politics, with Abhisit explicitly stating the party will not form alliances with those linked to illicit financial activities.
The Democrats face the challenge of regaining support in traditional strongholds like Bangkok and Southern Thailand, where voters previously shifted to other conservative parties.

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.