Corporal Punishment Persists in Thai Schools Despite Ministry Directive

Strategic Insights -

A recent incident of a teacher striking a student 60 times for disobedience has sparked public outrage and calls for reform in Thailand, where the Ministry of Education has banned violent punishment in schools. Experts say the incident highlights a failure to equip educators with non-violent behavioural management skills, leading to a reliance on outdated punitive methods that can cause harm to students. The Consumer Council of Thailand's Education Subcommittee Chair, Attapol Anantaworasakul, has condemned the continued use of corporal punishment and urged the Ministry to accelerate teacher development programmes that promote non-violent discipline.

Key Takeaways:

  • Physical discipline remains a reality in Thai classrooms despite a directive from the Ministry of Education banning violent punishment.
  • The recent case highlights a systemic failure to equip educators with non-violent behavioural management skills, leading to a reliance on outdated punitive methods.
  • The Education Subcommittee Chair, Attapol Anantaworasakul, has condemned the continued use of corporal punishment and urged the Ministry to accelerate teacher development programmes.
  • Current measures to prevent violence in schools are ineffective due to insufficient support systems.
  • The Education Subcommittee has proposed amendments to the National Education Act to ensure safe spaces for learners, including establishing welfare and safety systems, safeguarding student rights, and continuous teacher development in child psychology and brain development.
  • The subcommittee recommends placing child psychologists and counsellors at the local level to assist teachers in supporting student development.

Statistics:

  • 60: the number of times a teacher struck a student for disobedience in a recent incident.
  • 7 July 2025: the date when Attapol Anantaworasakul, Chair of the Education Subcommittee, condemned the continued use of corporal punishment in schools.
  • 100%: the failure rate of current measures to prevent violence in schools due to insufficient support systems.

Sources:

  • Attadol Anantaworasakul, Chair of the Education Subcommittee at the Consumer Council of Thailand, (7 July 2025)
  • Education Subcommittee at the Consumer Council of Thailand, (no date)