Female politicians Suphajee Suthumpun (Bhumjaithai) and Rukchanok Srinok (People's Party) are emerging as powerful new forces, significantly influencing Thai politics and the upcoming February 8 election.
Suphajee, a polite businesswoman and commerce minister, is perceived as a "breath of fresh air," boosting Bhumjaithai's appeal through her impressive administrative qualities and strong debate performances.
Rukchanok, in contrast, is an outspoken and ideological leader for the People's Party, aggressively championing its cause and effectively mobilizing its base, particularly among first-time voters.
These women, alongside Sirikanya Tansakul (People's Party), are pivotal to their parties' electoral strategies, with their distinct personas and policy engagements directly shaping voter perceptions and influencing the election's outcome.
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.