A question in a social science exam paper, which asks students to discuss some of the most contentious issues in Thailand, is making headlines and is being widely shared by social media users.

 

The topics requiring discussion include:

 

• Thai society and the monarchy
• Political asylum
• Lawfare
• Israel vs Palestine
• Authoritarianism in schools
• Royal convoys
• Commercialisation of Buddhism
• Climate crisis

 

According to instructions on the paper, students are to pick 3 key phrases from a list of 50. They then have 3 minutes to explain the chosen terms and another 2 minutes to respond their teacher’s questions.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-13

 

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Yes all these topics need discussion , but just be careful what you say or you could end up in prison....

 

 

regards worgeordie

 

Numbers 1 and 6 in the list are surely off limits perhaps a trick question ?

They're just teenagers getting an education.

 

To function in society as adults, they need to know their limits and how to correctly respond to given topics.

 

 

maybe one day this country will finally come into the 21st century.

 

not sure when though.

 

bob.

Very interesting indeed. 3 minutes to choose and 2 minutes to answer? I think the topics are great and this is the type of thing education should teaching but as for a verbal exam with time restrictions it's ludicrous. These are topics that should be taught and openly discussed within the classroom but unfortunately dot points 1 and 6 will see you locked up and I'll bet you no student picked these two points along with points 5 and 7. Sadly the entire list of 50 is not given. I would be very interested to see. Also, the person, and well done to you, has probably lost their job.

I forgot this bit.

Social science exam paper raises debate over national security

 

14 minutes ago, bob smith said:

maybe one day this country will finally come into the 21st century.

 

not sure when though.

 

bob.

Being so many public school classrooms are still in the 1960's maybe another 60 years.

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

2 minutes to respond their teacher’s questions

Question from teacher. Dot point 1: Do you think that 112 is a good law or do you think it needs reforming? Student: I think it needs reforming because it has been weaponized and used as a political tool. BIB: You're nicked. It's off to the monkey house for you.

Quote

Kaokorn Suksangamkul, the teacher who wrote the exam paper, said “a fun classroom is a space for academic debate, teachers have a role in encouraging students to think, speak out, debate and use their logic, so that social science subjects can be more interesting”.

Good luck Kaokorn, but I think that "Songchai Nianhom, president of People for the Protection of the Monarchy Institution (Por-Por-Sor) and his team" will have you cancelled.

I've underlined and made bold what I think are key issues.

This week, Songchai Nianhom, president of People for the Protection of the Monarchy Institution (Por-Por-Sor) and his team showed up at the Wat That Thong High-School to raise their concerns that open discussion of some of these issues may affect national security. He questioned what is being taught to students and how their answers will be handled by teachers.

Kaokorn Suksangamkul, the teacher who wrote the exam paper, said “a fun classroom is a space for academic debate, teachers have a role in encouraging students to think, speak out, debate and use their logic, so that social science subjects can be more interesting”.

Yesterday, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the school’s governing body, withdrew the exam paper and ordered an investigation into its issue. Another source says, however, that the Primary Educational Service Area (PESA) is asking the school to amend the exam paper to remove some key phrases.

Paramee Waijongcharoen, a Move Forward MP and member of the parliamentary committee on education told Thai PBS’s ‘The Activ’, “We have problems with academic freedom in Thai classrooms. Children are being asked to memorise texts for exams, but are not being tested on their abilities to analyse and compare social situations.” Paramee also emphasised that “schools need to be open to various opinions.”

 

It's all about indroctination and social control IMO and this is what the military/elites want. Good on this teacher. This is what Thailand needs but alas no. You cannot do this. You cannot challenge students to think critically about all issues. Only the issues we say. I bet there was no problem with climate change question and any student that said "Thailand is the hub of EV's" would passed with flying colours.

It shows the conservative education. Students are brainwashed and will give the answers they want to hear..That is the easiest way to do. Other answer are seen as a matter of national security and make you fail. Even for us adults it is impossible to respond on several topics on the list above here. Discussion means that things are being thought over and maybe changes could make things better, but with a conservative education we see that MFP is now going to court for fake reasons to be disbanned, as the dinosaurs explained to the people their opinion, instead of what really was wanted..So brainwashed answers and no problems

9 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

It shows the conservative education. Students are brainwashed and will give the answers they want to hear..That is the easiest way to do. Other answer are seen as a matter of national security and make you fail. Even for us adults it is impossible to respond on several topics on the list above here. Discussion means that things are being thought over and maybe changes could make things better, but with a conservative education we see that MFP is now going to court for fake reasons to be disbanned, as the dinosaurs explained to the people their opinion, instead of what really was wanted..So brainwashed answers and no problems

Fascism, totalitarianism, religion and sadly parts of democracy all do the same thing. Brainwashing and indoctranation. Any thoughts or conversations that challenge the dogma or narraritive is seen as dangerous and conspiratorial. One must think how we tell you to think. 

What an excellent way of identifying future political trouble causers. Catch 'em young and prevent them from going to university. Problem solved before it even arises

11 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Yes all these topics need discussion , but just be careful what you say or you could end up in prison....

 

 

regards worgeordie

 

#4, #7, #8 seem to be the safest bet.

Good idea, illogical questions on the most part and sadly fail to see how this could affect National Security, but then as it is mainly Thais complaining, not surprised anything to do with the Monarchy s off limits 

What's Lawfare?  Only the rich can afford Law and they use it as a tool to punish criticism.  Shouldn't it be Law Fair as it patently isn't!

Stalin's Russia and Mao's China come to mind.

 

Innovation and thinking nor allowed.

 

Moving forward deeper into the past.

11 hours ago, bob smith said:

maybe one day this country will finally come into the 21st century.

 

not sure when though.

 

bob.

 

In some ways it's still in the 16th century, so it might take a while.

12 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Yes all these topics need discussion , but just be careful what you say or you could end up in prison....

 

 

regards worgeordie

 

Exposing a sham democracy can be dangerous for the powerful but not the nation.

12 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Very interesting indeed. 3 minutes to choose and 2 minutes to answer? I think the topics are great and this is the type of thing education should teaching but as for a verbal exam with time restrictions it's ludicrous. These are topics that should be taught and openly discussed within the classroom but unfortunately dot points 1 and 6 will see you locked up and I'll bet you no student picked these two points along with points 5 and 7. Sadly the entire list of 50 is not given. I would be very interested to see. Also, the person, and well done to you, has probably lost their job.

I forgot this bit.

Social science exam paper raises debate over national security

 

Hopefully this paper outlines the future where Thailand is going to.🙏

Just now, newbee2022 said:

Hopefully this paper outlines the future where Thailand is going to.🙏

Is does indeed. It's been withdrawn/censored due to NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS so Thailand is going nowhere which is exactly what the military/elite want. The status quo is power and money for a very few and it shall not change.

22 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Is does indeed. It's been withdrawn/censored due to NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS so Thailand is going nowhere which is exactly what the military/elite want. The status quo is power and money for a very few and it shall not change.

That's not so surprising. Same or similar in "our" countries: Money for a very few. Until the system collapses

Surprised this slipped through the various reviews at the school.

 

Sounds like the People for the Protection of the Monarchy Institution (Por-Por-Sor) (referenced in the linked article) have not been diligent enough in controlling the curriculum.

 

The absolute last thing you want is the people developing critical thought.

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, bamnutsak said:

Surprised this slipped through the various reviews at the school.

 

Sounds like the People for the Protection of the Monarchy Institution (Por-Por-Sor) (referenced in the linked article) have not been diligent enough in controlling the curriculum.

 

The absolute last thing you want is the people developing critical thought.

 

 

 

 

Indeed not. Next thing they'll be thinking for themselves and challenging the system and this cannot be tolerated. Indoctrination must be total and dissent must be quashed before it starts.

13 hours ago, bob smith said:

maybe one day this country will finally come into the 21st century.

 

not sure when though.

 

bob.

I'd say sometime in the 22nd century.

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Stalin's Russia and Mao's China come to mind.

 

Innovation and thinking nor allowed.

 

Moving forward deeper into the past.

Didn't someone in Govt. the education minister say he admired the Nth Korea education system?

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

What's Lawfare?  Only the rich can afford Law and they use it as a tool to punish criticism.  Shouldn't it be Law Fair as it patently isn't!

The way to learn is to look it up, however, your second sentence is an example.

15 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

They're just teenagers getting an education.

 

To function in society as adults, they need to know their limits and how to correctly respond to given topics.

 

 

 

Your ending is missing  ! 

.............................................. in an obeisciant way, so as not to upset the money  !

 

There you are, ......... fixed it  !

19 hours ago, johng said:

Numbers 1 and 6 in the list are surely off limits perhaps a trick question ?

I would think these would be the easiest to answer correctly. 🙂