1 minute ago, flexomike said:

Part of the reasoning for school uniforms is to put everyone on an equal platform. Poor peoples children in a sense are equal to the hiso kids.

And it's almost never the poor that are complaining, it's generally the well-to-do that want to use their kids to show off how hi-so they are, 

Structure and rules are good for a 7 year old, it will help him to be self-disciplined later in life.

2 minutes ago, Trippy said:

Structure and rules are good for a 7 year old, it will help him to be self-disciplined later in life.

Exactly. Self-discipline is exponentially more important than self-esteem. 

2 minutes ago, Trippy said:

Structure and rules are good for a 7 year old, it will help him to be self-disciplined later in life.

Yep, I had it at school as a kid many decades back.....

 

Now, it seems many Westerner parents want to be tough guys, then pay for it when their kids get older and p_ss them off.....🤬

1 hour ago, transam said:

Thailand should do what it wants to promote growing up the right way, not how most of the west does it, where discipline is in a real state........

 

I personally think Thailand has got it right, and is not farangland.....🤗

 

Perhaps somewhat flawed when it comes to giving kids exactly the same buzz-cut...

 

There is a balanced middle ground - wearing uniforms is universally accepted, buzz-cuts, no longer accepted.

 

Even at International Schools - smart uniforms are required for various reasons: 

Equality and reduced peer pressure – Uniforms make it harder to judge pupils by how expensively or fashionably they dress, supposedly reducing bullying or social divides.

Discipline and focus – Some schools claim uniforms create a more “serious” atmosphere that encourages students to focus on learning rather than appearance.

Identity and belonging – Uniforms promote a sense of unity and school pride, a visual reminder that everyone is part of the same community.

Safety and security – It’s easier to identify who belongs on school grounds if everyone’s wearing a uniform.

Convenience for parents – Uniforms save time and avoid morning debates about what to wear.

 

 

This above reasons and impacts change somewhat when it comes to 'hair cuts'...  school haircut rules (forcing same style) are questioned for various reasons: 

Individuality and self-expression - Hair is part of how people express their identity (gender, culture, personal taste). Uniform haircuts limit that.

Psychological effects - Forced haircuts / rules can lower self-esteem, cause shame, or be degrading - especially if enforced publicly or harshly.

Freedom & bodily autonomy - People argue students should have some control over their own bodies; a forced haircut can be seen as an infringement of that.

Changing social norms - What was considered “neat” or “disciplined” in past decades may seem outdated now. Diverse hair styles are more socially accepted in many places.

Fairness - Schools sometimes apply rules unevenly (different for boys vs girls; or punishing more severely some students). Makes the rule seem arbitrary or biased.

Effect on learning / school climate - Some say that forcing conformity in appearance doesn't actually improve academic performance or discipline - the gains are more symbolic than real.

 

 

In Thailand specifically: 

Thailand had a long-standing regulation (from 1975) by the Ministry of Education that required very strict haircut rules. 

- Boys had to have very short hair; no moustaches or beards. The Phuket News+1

- Girls could not grow their hair below their ears; could not wear makeup.

 

These rules were relaxed a little in regulation in 2020 and restrictions were slightly loosened for example, allowing slightly longer hair under schools’ discretion, but still placed limits.

 

Then in 2023 (On 16 January), the Ministry of Education published in the Royal Gazette that the 2020 regulation on student hairstyles was being revoked. Schools were given the power to set their own hairstyle policies (with consultation of students, parents, teachers). 

 

In March 2025: The Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand formally annulled the 1975 regulation, ruling it unconstitutional. This ended the uniform haircut requirement on constitutional and human rights grounds.

 

 

Thus: It is now illegal for 'any' school in Thailand to specify or carry 'hair-cut' requirements - though understandably its not unreasonable for 'social norms' to be applied - i.e. kids can't go to school with a bright pink Mohawk. 

 

 

Therefor: In this situation - IF the teacher is insisting on the old fashioned Thai style buzz cut - he may not be are of the updated regulations (law) which wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

Thus: Its not unreasonable for a parent to write to the teacher and quote the Royal Gazette and the 2023 Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand's updated regulation - but also add that as a parent they will endeavour to ensure that the child's hair remains tidy and respectable. 

 

Alternatively: A letter can be sent to the school director. IF handled professionally and respectfully, there is no reason for any of this to result in 'fall out' against the child in question.

On 9/27/2025 at 1:13 PM, Stevey said:

My 7 year old. nearly 8 Feb coming, according to my missus needs another army hair cut that I hate. It’s only just been growing 3 weeks. I drop off and pick up everyday and see many class mates with no full metal jacket or child hood cancer hair do. This teacher is just exercising authority and I want to challenge it. 

Send your child to a private school, no problem 

13 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

That's a guess and untrue. The schools here are far behind what they are in the US, and the futures for most of the students here also pales by comparison to what they can achieve in the US, especially regarding their pay. My daughter's school here teaches them very little, especially compared to my other 5 children's US schools at the same level.

Dang it, that's your fault for settling for a regular gov school. If I thought my kid's life would be better in the US we'd we there now. I'm not convinced and certainly not a public school. My kid has been 3 times to US and she loves it there she also says the US kids are ill mannered.

She can see the lard ass parents with kids who have no manners.

 

Her EP school has sent students to various prestigious universities in Thailand. The kids she hangs with here are a mix of backgrounds with many affluent friends. 

 

Now there are provincial Gov Schools which offers an excellent EP education. 

9 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Dang it, that's your fault for settling for a regular gov school. If I thought my kid's life would be better in the US we'd we there now. I'm not convinced and certainly not a public school. My kid has been 3 times to US and she loves it there she also says the US kids are ill mannered.

She can see the lard ass parents with kids who have no manners.

 

Her EP school has sent students to various prestigious universities in Thailand. The kids she hangs with here are a mix of backgrounds with many affluent friends. 

 

Now there are provincial Gov Schools which offers an excellent EP education. 

That your daughter might have seen a couple of overweight parents with kids with no manners isn't enough to judge the rest of America, especially in a child's eyes. If I could leave right now we would be there but moving takes time, especially around the world. I didn't settle for aq government school. it's all that's around where I and my ex live. Life will still be light years better for her in the US, especially regarding her career, future and relationship with a man. This country has never been and will never be a good place for women, which has been plain to see for all my life. 

On 9/28/2025 at 6:40 PM, fredwiggy said:

That's a guess and untrue. The schools here are far behind what they are in the US, and the futures for most of the students here also pales by comparison to what they can achieve in the US, especially regarding their pay. My daughter's school here teaches them very little, especially compared to my other 5 children's US schools at the same level.

Try and get your kid into a top Thai school. Let us know how that goes. 

7 minutes ago, DavisH said:

Try and get your kid into a top Thai school. Let us know how that goes. 

Not worth the effort, as she'll be living and studying in the US sometime next year. She has to learn 100% English in all studies. 

Find a proper school perhaps, that's the real problem n this topic. I rather do home schooling than sending my son to the brain killer schools and even most affordable billingual or inter schools are not that much better, but at least more safe. Costs a fortune to get proper education here.

On 9/28/2025 at 7:18 PM, Yellowtail said:

And it's almost never the poor that are complaining, it's generally the well-to-do that want to use their kids to show off how hi-so they are, 

Because they are taught to never question authority, they live day to day on budgets so there is no time or ego left to complain, they essentially live in fear. Same reason most poor people would always pretend to be friendly or nice to a richer person, just because it's culture / customs.

On 9/28/2025 at 7:18 PM, Yellowtail said:

And it's almost never the poor that are complaining, it's generally the well-to-do that want to use their kids to show off how hi-so they are, 

Because they are taught to never question authority, they live day to day on budgets so there is no time or ego left to complain, they essentially live in fear.

6 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Find a proper school perhaps, that's the real problem n this topic. I rather do home schooling than sending my son to the brain killer schools and even most affordable billingual or inter schools are not that much better, but at least more safe. Costs a fortune to get proper education here.

My kid went to a Catholic school with a great English program, and I think it costed B14,000 twice a year.

 

 He tested and got into Triam Udom, arguably the best high school in the county, and it costed much less, maybe B6.000 twice a year. 

 

He got his BS at Mahidol (one of the top universities in the county, also cheap) and is now in a PhD program at Mahidol, with the first three years covered by a scholarship he won. 

 

His education, kindergarten through PhD will cost less than one-half term would have costed at a university in the US.