Australian diplomat to chair Thailand-Cambodia maritime dispute commission

20 Sept 22:20 Key points summarised by AI

Australian diplomat and international lawyer Katrina Cooper has been appointed to chair a five-member commission, overseeing conciliation proceedings between Thailand and Cambodia regarding their maritime boundary dispute under UNCLOS.
Cooper brings extensive experience in international law, negotiations, and diplomacy, having previously served as Australia’s ambassador to Mexico and co-agent in UNCLOS proceedings between Australia and Timor-Leste.
The fully constituted commission is slated to hold its inaugural meeting in September to establish its Rules of Procedure, setting the framework for resolving the long-running dispute.
Thailand has pledged full cooperation and support for the commission's work, aiming for a peaceful and sustainable resolution while diligently safeguarding its 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.