Thailand Lifts Decades-Old Student Hairstyle Restrictions

Thailand Lifts Decades-Old Student Hairstyle Restrictions

Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court has annulled a decades-old rule restricting student hairstyles, marking a victory for personal freedoms in education. The regulation, imposed in 1975 under a military order, mandated short hair for boys and restricted girls from growing their hair past their ears. The court ruled it unconstitutional and misaligned with student welfare. The decision follows a 2020 petition by students challenging the rule. Schools now have autonomy over hairstyle policies, though concerns remain about resistance from traditionalist educators. This ruling signals a broader shift in Thailand’s approach to personal freedoms in education.