Activists in Thailand are calling for clearer guidelines and enforcement to end humiliating haircut punishments in schools, following an incident where a teacher allegedly cut the hair of at least 100 students sitting in rows on the floor. The incident occurred at a school in Phetchabun province, north-central Thailand, and footage was shared widely on social media.
Last month, Thailand's education ministry revoked its long-standing hair regulations, allowing schools to develop their own policies. However, young campaigners argue this is too vague and gives schools unchecked freedom. Laponpat Wangpaisit, founder of the Bad Student group, said, 'The result is that it gives the full freedom to the schools and schools can do anything without consequence.'
Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong described the haircutting as inappropriate but noted the teacher was likely well-intentioned in wanting to discipline students. She ordered an investigation and stated that teachers should not impose punishments that cause embarrassment.
Bad Student receives complaints about three to four schools per week where teachers cut students' hair, with peaks at the start of months and semesters. Haircut rules, originally imposed by the military in the 1970s, have been a symbol of a school system that values obedience over individuality, according to student activists.
Laponpat called for eliminating all hair rules, saying, 'It’s about the meaning of being a human – that we have full rights over our own body.' Former MP Kunthida Rungruengkiat noted that older generations believe such policies instil discipline, but change is overdue. Educational policy researcher Thunhavich Thitiratsakul warned that not all school boards will effectively consult students and parents as required.
