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Ripped Jeans Stir Debate: Thai Education Minister Defends Casual Attire on Official Trip

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Picture courtesy of Thai TV Channel 5

 

Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat remains unfazed by critics after wearing ripped jeans to a field event in Thailand's southern provinces. Spotted at Benjamarachutit School in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narumon's choice of casual attire during a three-day trip from 18 to 21 July sparked online debate. Some educators and netizens viewed the outfit as inappropriate for an official occasion.

 

Defending her attire, Narumon insists casual dress is acceptable on weekends and holidays. She urged the public to prioritise improving the nation’s education system over her wardrobe. The deputy government spokesman, Anukul Pruksanusak, supported the minister, urging the public not to politicise the situation.

 

According to Anukul, Narumon aimed to foster a friendly atmosphere, noting that she always dresses suitably for events. He highlighted that the minister had communicated to education authorities that formal wear is unnecessary during weekend field visits.

 

The education sector's top bureaucrat, Suthep Kaengsanthia, acknowledged that this was Narumon’s first official tour since assuming the role. There was no prior directive on dress codes, leading local officials to don formal attire in the presence of senior executives. He assured that future field trips will welcome informal wear.

 

The incident has rekindled debate over dress codes within the public service, highlighting contrasting expectations. While some argue local staff should adhere to formal dress, others believe the minister should serve as a standard bearer.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-22

 

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Maybe they should pay her more so she can afford new clothes ?

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Isn't she the one who was criticized for posting social media messages with spelling errors?

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47 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

Isn't she the one who was criticized for posting social media messages with spelling errors?

 

That was the deputy edu minister:
 

 

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She wants to look posh and fashioned at a school visit 

Why not?

10 hours ago, webfact said:

She urged the public to prioritise improving the nation’s education system over her wardrobe.

She's got her work cut out trying to achieve that.

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She's 50 years old, what's she doing wearing ripped jeans?

 

Disgusting.

 

 

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She lookes great "in them jeans".  Now if she looked like most American female educators then it would be inappropriate.  

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10 hours ago, webfact said:

She urged the public to prioritise improving the nation’s education system over her wardrobe.

Um, that's your job. 

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She is new and hasn't received any brown envelopes yet

The attire reflects the way the whole subject of education is handled. 

The minister spends money for torn jeans - and parents spend money for torn education. Win Win all the way. 

She might be a little too old with 51 years old to compete with teenage girls. Her political background is a perfect example of governmental job hopping from one party to another, from one ministry to another - a truly questionable figure on Thailand's ministerial front - me thinks! 

Just now, Cameroni said:

She's 50 years old, what's she doing wearing ripped jeans?

 

Disgusting.

 

 

Agree. No style at all, is she in the same party as the clown Srettha who used to wear to wear short trousers and coloured socks?

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18 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

She's 50 years old, what's she doing wearing ripped jeans?

 

Disgusting.

 

 

It looks very young and posh. The right dress for a school. Students will be happy to see a very "cool" minister.

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Maybe they should pay her more so she can afford new clothes ?

Those are new! Idiots now a days pay big bucks for designer jeans with holes in them! 🙄  Go figure.... 🤔

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Why on earth would people criticise her jeans and not the quality of education under her control?

It's the ultimate in stupid fashion-wear.  I can remember many years back when people would pay top-dollar for jeans that were shot with a 12-gauge shotgun then "stone-washed" to shred the holes.  

Yep - most people are dumber that a bag of wet sand - full of holes of course. :thumbsup:

20 minutes ago, hanbla said:

Agree. No style at all, is she in the same party as the clown Srettha who used to wear to wear short trousers and coloured socks?

Screenshot_20250722_131900_Google.jpg

 

She's over 50 years old.

 

Sorry, at 50 plus wearing ripped jeans is just mutton dressed as lamb.

 

Good to see the Thai instinct spot on here, she should be tarred and feathered.

 

Ripped jeans at 50 plus. Tssk.

 

 

9 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

It looks very young and posh. The right dress for a school. Students will be happy to see a very "cool" minister.

 

On the young it looks young. On 50 year old women it looks mutton dressed as lamb, just stupid.

 

And students will be peeved, they have to wear uniforms but the mininster wears ripped jeans?

 

So out of order.

 

I'm quite upset by this. I need to go for a walk.

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14 minutes ago, David T Pike said:

Those are new! Idiots now a days pay big bucks for designer jeans with holes in them! 🙄  Go figure.... 🤔

To be fair it could be friction burn holes from the rug...

10 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

On the young it looks young. On 50 year old women it looks mutton dressed as lamb, just stupid.

 

And students will be peeved, they have to wear uniforms but the mininster wears ripped jeans?

 

So out of order.

 

I'm quite upset by this. I need to go for a walk.

Well, cool down your mood 😂

For me, she did quite well, though a suit would have been an option too.

Totally inappropriate attire, especially for an education minister.  Students will look at her and think they can show up looking like that for a job interview.  What was she thinking?  

Oh my God! 

 

Is she wearing sports shoes!??

 

How dare she? This is like a slap in the face of every student in Thailand.

22 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Why on earth would people criticise her jeans and not the quality of education under her control?

 

The reason is simple.

 

She has no control over the education system, other than who gets the envelopes, and even that is restricted. There really has not been an Education Minister who has truly cared about the schools or the system, because none of them have been in power long enough to make a difference, and the bureaucracy is so set in its ways.

 

People in old parties have no clue what needs to be done, and heaven forbid that they try to teach anything other than the same crap that they taught in 1940 in the government schools.

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I quite like the ripped denim on Asian females look myself.

 

 

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I don't care since I like wearing jeans, but in the context of Thailand, jeans are considered worse than casual and ripped jeans are ranked even lower. I've seen many company days where "casual attire" was allowed, but jeans were forbidden. I don't know where the hate of jeans comes from, but it is what it is. She would know that.

20 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Why on earth would people criticise her jeans and not the quality of education under her control?

 

... Because the causal approach to her attire indicates her casual approach to those with whom she is meeting and the subject on which she is in discussion. 

 

A public official, on official duty in the weekdays would conventionally dress one notch above the expected standard of the environment you're entering, and on the weekends, Smart-casual, approachable, but still in control of the narrative - with obvious adjustments for site visits, such as farms, industry (factories), schools, sporting events etc.

 

That Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat is wearing jeans at all is indicative of her approach, let alone ripped jeans.

I fail to understand why so many 'officials' here manage such basic stuff ups - it would not be difficult to have a series of advisors for such matters.

 

That said, of course her abilities, quality and influence of her work matters most - however, to be taken seriously in such a roll, professionalism is a key facet - instead she has dressed as if she is on holiday and this is somewhat disrespectful to those with whom she is visiting and the establishment itself. 

 

 

Appropriate dress in such a situation (on a weekend).

- Smart-casual separates: Blouse with trousers or a smart dress with a cardigan or light blazer.

- Shoes: Comfortable flats or block heels, especially for walkabouts.

- Jewellery: Still subtle but can lean a touch more expressive.

 

 

This may seem petty to some, particularly the "I don't care what others think" crowd, but, she is a public representative and should already know the basic unwritten rules.

 

 

Of course, this doesn't bother 'me' in the slightest - but I can see why others may make comment as the clothing choice is professionally clumsy and highlights an underlying lack of attention.

 

 

 

 

 

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