How Bhumjaithai cracked the winning code to stun rivals in 2026 elections
AI In-Brief
Thailand News in Brief
Thai PBS World
Thailand and the world, every day
AI can make mistakes. Please double-check.
How Bhumjaithai cracked the winning code to stun rivals in 2026 elections
11 Sept 22:04Key points summarised by AI
Bhumjaithai secured victory by effectively combining a nationalist campaign, emphasizing border protection and "Thainess," with leveraging influential local politicians and traditional patronage networks in rural areas.
The party capitalized on the decline of rivals like Pheu Thai, which suffered from conflict-of-interest accusations and defections, while also benefiting from a strong alliance with the Klatham Party.
Its popular co-payment economic scheme appealed to low-income voters, and its success was further aided by the presence of experienced technocrats and, controversially, alleged irregularities in the election process.
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.