A private all-girls school in Thailand has apologised after a student was given an uneven haircut as punishment for breaking grooming rules. The incident at Narivooth School in Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province, went viral after photos of the botched cut were shared on Facebook.
The haircut was performed with ordinary scissors meant for cutting paper, leaving the student's hair jagged and uneven. One side fell to her waist, another stopped mid-back, and the centre hung awkwardly below her shoulders. The Facebook post caption questioned the school's behaviour, stating: 'Even if there are rules, students have feelings, too.'
Narivooth School issued a public apology, expressing 'sincere apologies to the student, her parents, and all concerned parties' and acknowledging the public's anger. The school said it would revise its disciplinary approach to adopt 'more appropriate and age-sensitive methods' that respect human rights.
Despite a 2020 Supreme Administrative Court ruling overturning mandatory strict hairstyle regulations, forced haircuts remain common in Thai schools. A 2022 survey found 74% of respondents reported such punishments still being used. Similar incidents in 2022 and 2023 also drew public condemnation.
