October 30, 20187 yr National exams may be held a week before polls By THE NATION File photo EDUCATION MINISTER TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH UNIVERSITY CHIEFS’ SECRETARIAT; ASSURES THERE’LL BE NO CLASH OF DATES THE NATIONAL university entrance exams may be brought forward to avoid clashing with the general elections, tentatively set for February 24. Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said yesterday that the General and Professional Academic Aptitude Tests, known as GAT and PAT, can be held a week earlier than previously scheduled. He said the decision to bring the tests forward was to ensure the schedule of the Thai University Centre Admission System is not delayed. The minister said he would discuss the issue again with the Secretariat of the Conference of University Presidents of Thailand tomorrow to reach a final conclusion, but promised that the examination date will not clash with the elections. In fact, he said, it would be probably a good idea to hold the examination before the election so that the students were not distracted. This development comes in response to previous concerns that holding the GAT/PAT exams on the same day as the election would not give first-time voters a chance to cast their ballots. The exams will be taken by Mathayom 6 or high-school students, most of whom are 18 years old and eligible to vote. Many parties and political observers believe these first-time voters will be especially eager to cast their ballots, especially as Thailand has not had a successful general election since 2010 when Yingluck Shinawatra was elected as the Kingdom’s first woman prime minister. First-time voters will account for 7 million of the 52 million eligible voters. Meanwhile, political campaigns have kicked off, now that the junta has partially eased the ban on political activities. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that the authorities will meet politicians in November or December to discuss how the ban could be fully lifted. However, political parties have been campaigning actively for party members over the past couple of months. Leaders of new parties, such as Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit from the Future Forward Party and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul have been travelling around the country to set up branches and to encourage people to join their party. Veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, representing Action Coalition for Thailand Party, visited several areas of Bangkok last week to encourage people to join the Action Coalition Party. However, he encountered mixed reactions, with some recognising him as a former protest leader and welcoming him, while others denounced him for not keeping his word. Suthep had promised that he would not return to politics after ousting Yingluck’s government almost five years ago. Pheu Thai Party, meanwhile, selected its new executive last weekend. Its new head of the election strategy committee, Khunying Sudarat Kayuraphan, is heading to Nakhon Ratchasima province today to meet up with local voters as well as encourage people to become members of the party. Former Nakhon Ratchasima MPs yesterday asserted that they remained with Pheu Thai, denying news reports that some might move to Pheu Thai’s sister party to skirt the threat of party dissolution. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30357541 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-31
October 30, 20187 yr Popular Post 3 hours ago, webfact said: Meanwhile, political campaigns have kicked off, now that the junta has partially eased the ban on political activities. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that the authorities will meet politicians in November or December to discuss how the ban could be fully lifted. What exactly would they need to discuss? Just cancel the ban. Oh I forgot, then it would (at last) give a level playing field to all. Nah, they'll need to discuss to how still try and give themselves the best advantage after the ban for everyone (apart themselves) is lifted.
October 31, 20187 yr Popular Post 4 hours ago, webfact said: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that the authorities will meet politicians in November or December to discuss how the ban could be fully lifted. Dear Lord above us! You wanna wait 'til November/December to 'discuss' the full lifting of the ban? Meaning the discussions could break down and there could still be a full ban heading into the new year? How much longer can they keep procrastinating?
October 31, 20187 yr 24 minutes ago, rkidlad said: How much longer can they keep procrastinating? As long as they want silly rabbit.
October 31, 20187 yr 5 minutes ago, Notagain said: As long as they want silly rabbit. Right. Cheers for that. How’s that rap song going? Fizzled out yet?
October 31, 20187 yr 5 hours ago, webfact said: Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said yesterday that the General and Professional Academic Aptitude Tests, known as GAT and PAT, can be held a week earlier than previously scheduled. Who's a clever boy, then? And he's managed this solution in less than a month . . . quite amazing what the Education top-dog can do when he manages to keep his nose out the trough for a day or two.
October 31, 20187 yr 4 minutes ago, rkidlad said: How’s that rap song going? Fizzled out yet? Sure has, oh wait I see it is all over the news and world media outlets are clogging up immigration at the airport trying to get in for the story.
October 31, 20187 yr 3 minutes ago, Ossy said: quite amazing what the Education top-dog can do What can he do ??? There isnt even an official election date yet. Maybe he should just say we will have exams in 2019 I promise.
October 31, 20187 yr 2 minutes ago, Notagain said: Sure has, oh wait I see it is all over the news and world media outlets are clogging up immigration at the airport trying to get in for the story. Wow! Didn't know it was that big.
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