Thailand maps out a practicable strategy toward Myanmar

9 Sept 16:56 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand is recalibrating its approach to conflict-ridden Myanmar, adopting a more 'practicable' strategy driven by its security and economic interests, following a meeting between their foreign ministers.
The strategy aims to re-engage Myanmar and position Thailand as a 'bridge' to bring it back into the ASEAN family, conditional on Myanmar taking positive steps toward dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and reducing violence as outlined in the Five-Point Consensus.
Thailand seeks to address critical cross-border challenges like crime, drug production, and pollution, while also pursuing economic benefits through reopened trade routes and eased investment constraints, crucial for its border stability and national interests.

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.