Vote-buying won’t work: Thais turn more calculated ahead of Feb 8 election

13 Sept 13:39 Key points summarised by AI

Thai voters are adopting a more calculated approach, prioritizing policies, stability, and economic concerns over emotional appeals or vote-buying, which is now deemed less effective.
Generational shifts influence voting, with influential Gen X and Y voters showing varied preferences: Gen X leans towards Pheu Thai, while younger Gen Y and Z largely back the People's Party for its reformist agenda.
Party support is diversifying, with Bhumjaithai gaining traction among middle-aged voters impressed by its performance and key appointments, while traditional parties like the Democrats face challenges in retaining full loyalty.
A majority of voters (52%) base their decisions on election policies, highlighting the economy as a paramount concern across different demographic groups.

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.