The changes were made in response to protests by student activists against uniforms. The Straits Times/Asia News Network PHOTO: PEXELS
BANGKOK — As a first step towards freedom and respecting children’s rights, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has instructed 437 schools to let their students wear casual clothes once a week.
It has also instructed schools to ease off on regulations related to students’ hairstyles and insisted that everybody’s styles and preferences be respected.
Wanthanee Watana, acting BMA City Clerk issued two orders on 23 June. They were sent to district offices for distribution to the schools in their jurisdiction.
In one order, it was stated that all BMA school students should have a non-uniform weekday. Schools can agree with parents and students on the day.
Students who are unable to dress casually can wear their physical education uniforms or guide/scout uniforms.
The order also specified that schools must ensure that the new regulations do not violate students’ gender, faith and diversity or affect their rights and liberty.
The changes were made in response to protests by student activists against uniforms.
An uproar was sparked on social media earlier this month when 15-year-old political activist Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai was barred from enrolling in the prestigious Triamudomsuksapattanakarn School.
The Thai teenager who had been charged with lese majeste was barred from going back to school for not wearing a uniform or dyeing her own hair.
Thanalop’s school expelled him on 14 June for violating the rules.
Social media, meanwhile, was deeply divided with conservative parents slamming her for being defiant, while the liberal side supported her fight for “individual rights”.
Many also pointed out that Bangkok Christian College (BCC) has been observing “casual Tuesdays” since February. Though BCC’s policy was introduced to give students a chance to express themselves, it was met with a lot of resistance from the conservatives.
According to the second BMA order, schools should reach an agreement on the hairstyles of students instead forcing everyone to do the same thing.
The order instructed schools to not violate students’ rights and liberty, as well as not cause mental distress by forcibly cutting their hair or embarrassing them in public.
Students who don’t follow the rules for hairstyles are punished by teachers by having their hair cut in front on everyone at morning assembly.
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