Thailand: A liberating judgment for schoolchildren's hairstyles, the end of a restrictive regulation

IN BRIEF

Thailand has reversed a regulation restricting schoolchildren’s hairstyles.
The Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling was released on March 5. The history of the 1975 regulation that imposed uniform hairstyles. Students can now choose their own hairstyles.
Schools will be free to set their own hair standards. The impact on students’ political consciousness is a symbol of change.The movement toward a less conformist education is gaining momentum.
Thailand has seen a significant shift in students’ personal freedom thanks to a recent ruling by its Supreme Administrative Court. The ruling ends a regulation that imposed strict restrictions on schoolchildren’s hairstyles, a holdover from an era when conformity was valued. Students, long subject to rigid hair standards, can now express their identity through their style. This development, which responds to a growing demand for freedom and recognition of individuality, marks a significant moment in the Thai educational landscape. Recently, the Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand
issued a landmark decision by striking down a regulation that imposed restrictions on students’ hairstyles. The change, which ends decades of strict regulations on the appearance of young people, opens the way for greater freedom of expression for Thai middle and high school students, allowing them to make their own choices about their hair style. Outdated regulations The repealed regulation, which originated from a 1975 law, imposed strict standards on students, including on hairstyles and the use of cosmetics. Boys were required to have short hair, while girls were limited to conservative lengths, which were often seen as conformist. The rules stemmed from a 1972 military order, which aimed to mentor students and train them as model citizens for their families and the nation.
A social awakening The ruling is the result of a growing social movement among young Thais who have spoken out against what they see as archaic restrictions. Groups such as the activist group Bad Students have played a key role in raising awareness and sharing stories of students being punished harshly for their hairstyle choices. Videos of punishments, showing students with shaved heads, have gone viral, drawing attention to the critical issue. Freedom of Expression and Personal Identity With the new court ruling, each school will now be able to set its own standards for hairstyles, marking a significant shift in education in Thailand. The move is being hailed as a victory for
individual freedom and self-expression. Students will now be able to choose hairstyles that reflect their identity, culture and style, without being subject to regulations that are seen as a form of control. A New Era for Education

This court ruling therefore represents a

revolution for the Thai education system. Families and schools will have to adapt to this new normal, which values self-expression. Schools like the Matthayom Wat Thatthong School in Bangkok have already anticipated this change by relaxing rules on hairstyles, allowing students to assert their sexual and stylistic identities. A promising future

As students explore this new freedom, some fear a backlash from education authorities. However, the court’s decision could encourage other schools to follow suit, creating a more inclusive and diverse climate within the school system. Moreover, this change is a call to rethink other aspects of education in Thailand, promoting a less conformist approach and more respectful of individual freedoms.

For more on this major development, read the articles on the subject on

Vietnam Aujourd’hui

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Asie Sud-Est

. Court decision : Cancellation of a regulation on school hairstyles.

Personal Freedom

: Schoolchildren can now choose their hairstyles. Former Regulation : 1975 law imposing strict haircuts for students.

Historical Context

: Rules from a 1972 military order on hairstyles.

Social Impact : Awakening of political consciousness among students.Self-expression : Opportunity to express one’s identity through hairstyles. School Reactions : Schools can set their own hair standards.Changing Attitudes

: Towards a less conformist school in Thailand. FAQ on Student Hair Freedom in Thailand
What judgment has the Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand made regarding schoolchildren’s hairstyles? The court has overturned a restrictive regulation that limited how schoolchildren could style their hair, marking a turning point in their personal freedoms.
When was this ruling announced? The ruling was made public on March 5, according to Thai media reports.
What was the purpose of the previous regulation on schoolchildren’s hairstyles? The regulation aimed to educate students as model citizens for their families and the nation.
What was the content of the repealed regulation? The regulation imposed restrictions on haircuts, requiring boys to have short hair and girls to cut their hair to their ears.
What were the consequences of this ruling for Thai students? Students now have the freedom to choose their own hairstyles, allowing them to better express their personal identity.
How was this ruling received by students and associations? The ruling was celebrated by many students and by activist associations that advocate for a less conformist education in Thailand.
What changes have been observed in some Thai schools before this ruling? Some schools had already begun to relax their hair rules, allowing students to express their identity through their hairstyles and clothing.