Thai Schools Will Face Shutdown Over Student Brawls

[webfact]

Schools will face action over student brawls

By The Nation

Following the student brawl on Wednesday on board bus No 45 on Sukhumvit, which led to 12 people being injured, Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said yesterday that if schools cannot control their students, then these institutions should be shut down.

Saying that he already told officials to investigate the incident, Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

Meanwhile, Office of Private Education Commission (OPEC) director Charnwit Thapsuwan said the problem of student brawls partially resulted from the fact that the punishment for this misdemeanour was too light, and that he would tell the Private Education Commission next month to introduce heavier punishment. He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

-- The Nation 2011-08-19

[AngelofDeath]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

[wiscoman]

Why so many times it is these huge groups/gangs of students?

[jonclark]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

Personally i think boot camp for a couple of months wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Scott]

The students should be expelled from the school and offered a transfer that involves them moving out of the area, such as CM. A second offense would see them out of the education system.

Of course, any causing harm to others or property injury should be prosecuted under the relevant laws.

The best way to clean up schools is to have a decent education program that stresses learning and professionalism. The 2nd thing is make sure students receive the grade they have earned--none of the 'no fail policy' at this level of the education system. This alone will weed out those who are school for something other than learning.

Finally, all students from all schools should wear the same uniform. The gov't should approve one type of uniform only. Any differences between schools or subject areas that might be worn, such as for those studying mechanics etc., should be worn only during class and then left at the school. Nothing should easily identify them by school or faculty.

[culicine]

The students should be expelled from the school and offered a transfer that involves them moving out of the area, such as CM. A second offense would see them out of the education system.

Of course, any causing harm to others or property injury should be prosecuted under the relevant laws.

The best way to clean up schools is to have a decent education program that stresses learning and professionalism. The 2nd thing is make sure students receive the grade they have earned--none of the 'no fail policy' at this level of the education system. This alone will weed out those who are school for something other than learning.

Finally, all students from all schools should wear the same uniform. The gov't should approve one type of uniform only. Any differences between schools or subject areas that might be worn, such as for those studying mechanics etc., should be worn only during class and then left at the school. Nothing should easily identify them by school or faculty.

Would you like the Education Minister's job? Why isn't the solution so obvious to the relevant authorities? Who honestly believes shutting down schools for student's out of school behaviour will solve anything? Too many pooyai run these schools so shutting them down just isn't going to happen!

[KhunBJ]

Necessary to make parents/guardians responsible ... asap.

[OzMick]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

" Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers." What's wrong with expulsion? With no credit given for courses passed. End of problem AFA the school is concerned, normal police charges then applied as a wake-up call to the children.

The usual reason given is "fighting for the honour of the school" - if it made quite clear that doing so means that you will no longer be attending, the fervour should diminish considerably.

[scorecard]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

" Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers." What's wrong with expulsion? With no credit given for courses passed. End of problem AFA the school is concerned, normal police charges then applied as a wake-up call to the children.

The usual reason given is "fighting for the honour of the school" - if it made quite clear that doing so means that you will no longer be attending, the fervour should diminish considerably.

And there's another factor in the 'fighting for the honor of their school' - teachers! It's been mentioned many times before and I've checked this point several times with Thai relatives,who confirm there are many teachers who put this idea (school honor) into the heads of the students and encourage them to get into 'fights for school honor'.

So why aren't these teachers singled out and immediately dismissed and never allowed to teach again anywhere?

Simple answer, teachers can do no wrong!

And it's not only tech schools, my son tells horrendous stories about inappropriate behaviors from both male and female lecturers at his mainstream university.

[jimbeam1]

Violence on this scale is a matter for the Police to deal with?

jb1

[thaikahuna]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

I drive Sukhumvit daily and oft times right after school is dismissed for the day. These kids see a bus and rush into the street. If you don't stop or get around them you are at their mercy. I saw the bus they destroyed. It was more than apparent this was intentional as all the broken windows on the bus were broken from the inside. What needs to happen is for the police to lock up mommy and daddys precious little bastards for a few days and give them a taste of what is to come if they don't clean up their acts.

[jonclark]

It's really interesting to read many of the comments on here.

My nephew is a student at Bangkok Institute of Technology, and he is proudly part of the Red 22 gang, which graffiti parts of Suk 71, Ramkamheng and the area (Yes, red 22 is a school gang and noting to do with the red shirts) .

Some of the posters are quick to slate the teachers - well the teachers at BiTs having spoken with them are aware of the problems and know that studenst will fight on the buses and outside of school. All of the teachers are assigned and area or bus to patrol every night (for about 2 hours a night) and do their best to try to prevent fights. But the problem is there are more buses than teachers so the students slip away to pre arranged places Teachers regularly search the school and find knieves, drugs, etc stashed around the campus but as they are stashed finding the perpetrators is a lot harder as no one will squeal on their mates.

The studenst themselves really don't give a shit about school sanctions or police punishments as it is so small - (50 baht fine for carrying a knife), many ex students return to the outside of the school once school finishes everyday to rejoin the gang as their bonds are very strong - by ex student i'm talking people that are 25 years old +. Clearly expelling or suspending students wouldn't sever the gang ties. As for moving to other schools - just won't happen as schools are reluctant to take older students from certain institutions as they know (like the student) that the entering student will be a target, as he is still a member of his old schools gang, (you can't swap gangs) and if he's a target - his gang will come and make trouble at that school.

These gangs also give students independence. Their gang is like an extended family and like a family it will support those who are having a hard time getting out to be a part of the gang. The older students will let younger students stay in their apartments or live there. Thus taking the parents out of the equation.

[Sparkles]

I have witnessed first hand these little thugs running through shopping malls and creating havoc. Its a herd mentality and authorities do no more than slap on the wrist. Someone mentioned boot camp, a good idea which will unfortunately never come to fruition. Anyone who has worked in the Thai educational system knows how hopeless it is and boys,especially, have no desire to learn anything when they know mummy and daddy will prop them up,in most cases for life

[scorecard]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

" Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers." What's wrong with expulsion? With no credit given for courses passed. End of problem AFA the school is concerned, normal police charges then applied as a wake-up call to the children.

The usual reason given is "fighting for the honour of the school" - if it made quite clear that doing so means that you will no longer be attending, the fervour should diminish considerably.

Plus, there are plenty of serious well behaved students at these schools, is it fair to them to close the school?

[ginjag]

Necessary to make parents/guardians responsible ... asap.

As in nearly every situation in this land, Parental responsibility. There are no rules in most homes in Thailand it's called FREESTYLE.....................................What laws that are in place in the country in most cases are NOT applied, so therefore who cares really what the spoilt kids do at home. The problems begin from cradle to moving from the home for good..................Parents==get a grip show them who's boss-give love and get respect in return. Government -make the parents responsible.

[ginjag]

Woravat said school executives should first try to improve their institutions and if they refuse to do so, or are unable to solve the problem, then the schools should be closed down and the students moved to other vocational colleges.

He also said the Sriwattana Institute of International Business and Technology and Bangkok Institute of Technology whose, students were involved in the brawl on Wednesday, have been ordered closed for one week to prevent the situation from escalating.

The proposed solution is ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the problems lie with the student. We are not talking about 7 or 8 years old kids fighting and causing trouble. It's a pack of teenagers who chose to let their emotions take over the situations.

Okay, let's suppose the school couldn't solved the problem. Thus, it was shut down. Then the students who caused the school to shut down moved to other vocational college. If the same thing happen again, I don't think there will be alot of schools left in Bangkok.

A better solution would be sent them for counseling and get their parents involved. If it doesn't work, I don't think anyone can help the situation. Suspending them might be a short term solution for the school but it doesn't solve the discplinary problem of the teenagers.

Come to think it again, It seems things are hopeless for them. They might as well be thrown into the cell and have some discipline instilled in them.

I drive Sukhumvit daily and oft times right after school is dismissed for the day. These kids see a bus and rush into the street. If you don't stop or get around them you are at their mercy. I saw the bus they destroyed. It was more than apparent this was intentional as all the broken windows on the bus were broken from the inside. What needs to happen is for the police to lock up mommy and daddys precious little bastards for a few days and give them a taste of what is to come if they don't clean up their acts.

AND to add==lock up the bastard parents with them, to give them a message also.

[nikster]

It's really interesting to read many of the comments on here.

My nephew is a student at Bangkok Institute of Technology, and he is proudly part of the Red 22 gang, which graffiti parts of Suk 71, Ramkamheng and the area (Yes, red 22 is a school gang and noting to do with the red shirts) .

Some of the posters are quick to slate the teachers - well the teachers at BiTs having spoken with them are aware of the problems and know that studenst will fight on the buses and outside of school. All of the teachers are assigned and area or bus to patrol every night (for about 2 hours a night) and do their best to try to prevent fights. But the problem is there are more buses than teachers so the students slip away to pre arranged places Teachers regularly search the school and find knieves, drugs, etc stashed around the campus but as they are stashed finding the perpetrators is a lot harder as no one will squeal on their mates.

The studenst themselves really don't give a shit about school sanctions or police punishments as it is so small - (50 baht fine for carrying a knife), many ex students return to the outside of the school once school finishes everyday to rejoin the gang as their bonds are very strong - by ex student i'm talking people that are 25 years old +. Clearly expelling or suspending students wouldn't sever the gang ties. As for moving to other schools - just won't happen as schools are reluctant to take older students from certain institutions as they know (like the student) that the entering student will be a target, as he is still a member of his old schools gang, (you can't swap gangs) and if he's a target - his gang will come and make trouble at that school.

These gangs also give students independence. Their gang is like an extended family and like a family it will support those who are having a hard time getting out to be a part of the gang. The older students will let younger students stay in their apartments or live there. Thus taking the parents out of the equation.

Thank you for some insight into the matter. This is so far the only post that makes sense, actually.

I was wondering what this is all about, Why are there gangs, and why do they fight? It's just something I have never experienced; growing up in austria a little teasing was about the worst that could happen to you in school. There were certainly groups but never gangs. But by and large it was all harmless.

I've heard about school gangs, including a first hand report from a friend of mine who, in his uni days, was part of a school gang. A long time ago. They had all manner of weapons, weapon caches with chains, knives, and guns, pre-arranged fights... crazy. It's not that far from fraternity out of control to organized crime.

For all those proposing solutions without understanding the problems: You need to understand what's going on first.

Edited August 19, 2011 by nikster

[ginjag]

It's really interesting to read many of the comments on here.

My nephew is a student at Bangkok Institute of Technology, and he is proudly part of the Red 22 gang, which graffiti parts of Suk 71, Ramkamheng and the area (Yes, red 22 is a school gang and noting to do with the red shirts) .

Some of the posters are quick to slate the teachers - well the teachers at BiTs having spoken with them are aware of the problems and know that studenst will fight on the buses and outside of school. All of the teachers are assigned and area or bus to patrol every night (for about 2 hours a night) and do their best to try to prevent fights. But the problem is there are more buses than teachers so the students slip away to pre arranged places Teachers regularly search the school and find knieves, drugs, etc stashed around the campus but as they are stashed finding the perpetrators is a lot harder as no one will squeal on their mates.

The studenst themselves really don't give a shit about school sanctions or police punishments as it is so small - (50 baht fine for carrying a knife), many ex students return to the outside of the school once school finishes everyday to rejoin the gang as their bonds are very strong - by ex student i'm talking people that are 25 years old +. Clearly expelling or suspending students wouldn't sever the gang ties. As for moving to other schools - just won't happen as schools are reluctant to take older students from certain institutions as they know (like the student) that the entering student will be a target, as he is still a member of his old schools gang, (you can't swap gangs) and if he's a target - his gang will come and make trouble at that school.

These gangs also give students independence. Their gang is like an extended family and like a family it will support those who are having a hard time getting out to be a part of the gang. The older students will let younger students stay in their apartments or live there. Thus taking the parents out of the equation.

Thank you for some insight into the matter. This is so far the only post that makes sense, actually.

I was wondering what this is all about, Why are there gangs, and why do they fight? It's just something I have never experienced; growing up in austria a little teasing was about the worst that could happen to you in school. There were certainly groups but never gangs. But by and large it was all harmless.

I've heard about school gangs, including a first hand report from a friend of mine who, in his uni days, was part of a school gang. A long time ago. They had all manner of weapons, weapon caches with chains, knives, and guns, pre-arranged fights... crazy. It's not that far from fraternity out of control to organized crime.

For all those proposing solutions without understanding the problems: You need to understand what's going on first.

Spout all you like--It's UPBRINGING. if you have a nasty in your home YOU made it that way, and if you didn't you have fourteen or more years to correct it.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Laugh what a laugh. to think when I was at senior school and a member of a GANG it was like a playful gang----this is different, out of control irresponsibility =in fact nutters.

Hello son ,anything interesting happen today( not really we smashed a bus up and knifed a kid -tomorrow will take a gun) thats fine boy as long as your enjoying yourself thats what counts.

Edited August 19, 2011 by ginjag

[thequietman]

It's really interesting to read many of the comments on here.

My nephew is a student at Bangkok Institute of Technology, and he is proudly part of the Red 22 gang, which graffiti parts of Suk 71, Ramkamheng and the area (Yes, red 22 is a school gang and noting to do with the red shirts) .

Some of the posters are quick to slate the teachers - well the teachers at BiTs having spoken with them are aware of the problems and know that studenst will fight on the buses and outside of school. All of the teachers are assigned and area or bus to patrol every night (for about 2 hours a night) and do their best to try to prevent fights. But the problem is there are more buses than teachers so the students slip away to pre arranged places Teachers regularly search the school and find knieves, drugs, etc stashed around the campus but as they are stashed finding the perpetrators is a lot harder as no one will squeal on their mates.

The studenst themselves really don't give a shit about school sanctions or police punishments as it is so small - (50 baht fine for carrying a knife), many ex students return to the outside of the school once school finishes everyday to rejoin the gang as their bonds are very strong - by ex student i'm talking people that are 25 years old +. Clearly expelling or suspending students wouldn't sever the gang ties. As for moving to other schools - just won't happen as schools are reluctant to take older students from certain institutions as they know (like the student) that the entering student will be a target, as he is still a member of his old schools gang, (you can't swap gangs) and if he's a target - his gang will come and make trouble at that school.

These gangs also give students independence. Their gang is like an extended family and like a family it will support those who are having a hard time getting out to be a part of the gang. The older students will let younger students stay in their apartments or live there. Thus taking the parents out of the equation.

Thank you for some insight into the matter. This is so far the only post that makes sense, actually.

I was wondering what this is all about, Why are there gangs, and why do they fight? It's just something I have never experienced; growing up in austria a little teasing was about the worst that could happen to you in school. There were certainly groups but never gangs. But by and large it was all harmless.

I've heard about school gangs, including a first hand report from a friend of mine who, in his uni days, was part of a school gang. A long time ago. They had all manner of weapons, weapon caches with chains, knives, and guns, pre-arranged fights... crazy. It's not that far from fraternity out of control to organized crime.

For all those proposing solutions without understanding the problems: You need to understand what's going on first.

Spout all you like--It's UPBRINGING. if you have a nasty in your home YOU made it that way, and if you didn't you have fourteen or more years to correct it.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Laugh what a laugh. to think when I was at senior school and a member of a GANG it was like a playful gang----this is different, out of control irresponsibility =in fact nutters.

Hello son ,anything interesting happen today( not really we smashed a bus up and knifed a kid -tomorrow will take a gun) thats fine boy as long as your enjoying yourself thats what counts.

:clap2: exactly. i never had an inclination to fight with other students never mind from other schools. i knew if i mis-behaved my parents would kick my ass. the police are also at fault here, this is a law enforcement issue here and these lazy, good for nothing basterds wont do anything about it. there is no tea money so why bother. what are the reprecussions if you have a knife ) a 50 baht fine) and if you kill someone, like as happened in bangkok some months back. anyone heard about those students that fired a gun into a bus and killed a young student. any case pending? any jail time ?

god bless then, the little thai darlings.

[surayu]

Sounds like a nice little earner for competitor schools.....

[surangw]

their parents ( who are probably footing the bills for school) must be so proud

[jonclark]

It's really interesting to read many of the comments on here.

My nephew is a student at Bangkok Institute of Technology, and he is proudly part of the Red 22 gang, which graffiti parts of Suk 71, Ramkamheng and the area (Yes, red 22 is a school gang and noting to do with the red shirts) .

Some of the posters are quick to slate the teachers - well the teachers at BiTs having spoken with them are aware of the problems and know that studenst will fight on the buses and outside of school. All of the teachers are assigned and area or bus to patrol every night (for about 2 hours a night) and do their best to try to prevent fights. But the problem is there are more buses than teachers so the students slip away to pre arranged places Teachers regularly search the school and find knieves, drugs, etc stashed around the campus but as they are stashed finding the perpetrators is a lot harder as no one will squeal on their mates.

The studenst themselves really don't give a shit about school sanctions or police punishments as it is so small - (50 baht fine for carrying a knife), many ex students return to the outside of the school once school finishes everyday to rejoin the gang as their bonds are very strong - by ex student i'm talking people that are 25 years old +. Clearly expelling or suspending students wouldn't sever the gang ties. As for moving to other schools - just won't happen as schools are reluctant to take older students from certain institutions as they know (like the student) that the entering student will be a target, as he is still a member of his old schools gang, (you can't swap gangs) and if he's a target - his gang will come and make trouble at that school.

These gangs also give students independence. Their gang is like an extended family and like a family it will support those who are having a hard time getting out to be a part of the gang. The older students will let younger students stay in their apartments or live there. Thus taking the parents out of the equation.

Thank you for some insight into the matter. This is so far the only post that makes sense, actually.

I was wondering what this is all about, Why are there gangs, and why do they fight? It's just something I have never experienced; growing up in austria a little teasing was about the worst that could happen to you in school. There were certainly groups but never gangs. But by and large it was all harmless.

I've heard about school gangs, including a first hand report from a friend of mine who, in his uni days, was part of a school gang. A long time ago. They had all manner of weapons, weapon caches with chains, knives, and guns, pre-arranged fights... crazy. It's not that far from fraternity out of control to organized crime.

For all those proposing solutions without understanding the problems: You need to understand what's going on first.

Spout all you like--It's UPBRINGING. if you have a nasty in your home YOU made it that way, and if you didn't you have fourteen or more years to correct it.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Laugh what a laugh. to think when I was at senior school and a member of a GANG it was like a playful gang----this is different, out of control irresponsibility =in fact nutters.

Hello son ,anything interesting happen today( not really we smashed a bus up and knifed a kid -tomorrow will take a gun) thats fine boy as long as your enjoying yourself thats what counts.

:clap2: exactly. i never had an inclination to fight with other students never mind from other schools. i knew if i mis-behaved my parents would kick my ass. the police are also at fault here, this is a law enforcement issue here and these lazy, good for nothing basterds wont do anything about it. there is no tea money so why bother. what are the reprecussions if you have a knife ) a 50 baht fine) and if you kill someone, like as happened in bangkok some months back. anyone heard about those students that fired a gun into a bus and killed a young student. any case pending? any jail time ?

god bless then, the little thai darlings.

Not defending the parents - but gangs actually target the parents of students when parents try to discipline their children and keep them out of the gangs - By target I mean a group of 30 (usually senior members 20 years +) turn up with guns and knives at the parents homes and physically assault the parents. Actually makes the disciplining much harder when someone has just stuck a gun to your wife's head and told you not to.

The problem is more complex than giving your kids a clip round the ear. The only way this problem will be solved is by changing elements of the education system. Most of the students in these gangs do not have high enough attainment grades to progress in normal government school beyond M3 and are rejected by the schooling system, so they are clumped together at 14/15 years old, and sent to these vocational colleges friendless (most of their mates are still in mainstream schooling)

Remember what it was like when you were the new face in a new school all you want to do is fit in and do what everyone else is doing.

So the schools take in young, unmotivated, friendless, adolescent males,unwanted by the mainstream schooling system, some with parental / economic problems from the lower tiers of society. Against that background the gangs are welcoming extended family which gives them a new identity.

My own view is that these vocational colleges need closing, but at the same time government schools need to be able to offer a vocational program of study within the mainstream so that those less academically able students are kept in the mainstream with their friends and not clumped together and rejected.

BTW at school not joining the gang is not an option, so even if you had been an model, supportive parent at these school your child would be part of the gang and forced / coerced into joining in.

[plumeria]

The Gangs of Bangkok has been one of the best kept news secrets of Thailand for a very long time.

It's the same old gang culture you find in many big cities. Bangkok is no different.

The pressure on young Thai men to think clannish and go for payback when one their group or their beloved school property is a victim of violence is intense.

Thailand is so much like the West in so many ways it is freaky.

This widespread expat belief that Thais are so different than everyone else and Thailand is so different than everywhere else is naive and unbelievably biased.

Thais speak Thai. In 2011, that's about the only thing different than the USA and the UK and a lot of Europe.

It's all the same on a slightly different bandwidth or frequency. It's the same old stuff in slightly different styled buildings.

[KhunBJ]

Necessary to make parents/guardians responsible ... asap.

As in nearly every situation in this land, Parental responsibility. There are no rules in most homes in Thailand it's called FREESTYLE.....................................What laws that are in place in the country in most cases are NOT applied, so therefore who cares really what the spoilt kids do at home. The problems begin from cradle to moving from the home for good..................Parents==get a grip show them who's boss-give love and get respect in return. Government -make the parents responsible.

Obviously I agree .. and it will be a hard struggle here (and many other countries as well)

[connda]

Necessary to make parents/guardians responsible ... asap.

As in nearly every situation in this land, Parental responsibility. There are no rules in most homes in Thailand it's called FREESTYLE.....................................What laws that are in place in the country in most cases are NOT applied, so therefore who cares really what the spoilt kids do at home. The problems begin from cradle to moving from the home for good..................Parents==get a grip show them who's boss-give love and get respect in return. Government -make the parents responsible.

Obviously I agree .. and it will be a hard struggle here (and many other countries as well)

Closing the schools is like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

In the Thai culture, children aren't responsible for anything. The parents spoil them, the teachers coddle them, society holds them blameless. And this is a perfect example: don't hold the kids responsible -- shift the blame to the school -- punish the entire student body for the failings of a handful of willful, undisciplined, spoiled brats. Or if you wish to be more "Westernized" about it, shift the blame to the parent. This is a cultural issue...it's not going to change very quickly. Loss of self control is not a trait that's condoned in Thai society anyway.

Bottom line: Necessary to make offending children responsible ... asap. The parents and the schools have a responsibility too -- that is to become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

[KKvampire]

Like many offences in Thailand the punishments are pathetic no detterent from traffic violations to violence

[dcutman]

Necessary to make parents/guardians responsible ... asap.

As in nearly every situation in this land, Parental responsibility. There are no rules in most homes in Thailand it's called FREESTYLE.....................................What laws that are in place in the country in most cases are NOT applied, so therefore who cares really what the spoilt kids do at home. The problems begin from cradle to moving from the home for good..................Parents==get a grip show them who's boss-give love and get respect in return. Government -make the parents responsible.

Obviously I agree .. and it will be a hard struggle here (and many other countries as well)

Closing the schools is like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

In the Thai culture, children aren't responsible for anything. The parents spoil them, the teachers coddle them, society holds them blameless. And this is a perfect example: don't hold the kids responsible -- shift the blame to the school -- punish the entire student body for the failings of a handful of willful, undisciplined, spoiled brats. Or if you wish to be more "Westernized" about it, shift the blame to the parent. This is a cultural issue...it's not going to change very quickly. Loss of self control is not a trait that's condoned in Thai society anyway.

Bottom line: Necessary to make offending children responsible ... asap. The parents and the schools have a responsibility too -- that is to become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

99 out of 100 kids that go out and act this way, had little or no disipline from thier parents. It is far to late to try and start at 13 or 14 years. I do believe parents need to be held responsible for thier kids actions. Where else should it lie?. In fact this parental responsibility needs to start the first day the kid goes to school and disipline should begin before the kid starts walking.

This problem will get worse until the parents are held accountable for the behavior of thier children from thier first day of school. Of course teachers should reinforce values and disipline to reinforce parents. But no way should have to become a serrogate parent.

What is your suggestion to make these kids pay for this behavior? Yes put them in prison, that usually helps a lot. Maybe a public corporal punishment of some kind might help?

Edited August 21, 2011 by dcutman

[ginjag]

Why so many times it is these huge groups/gangs of students?

Round them up 2000 at a time and put them on a lorry bound for Vietnam ooops

[Ulysses G.]

The students should be expelled from the school and offered a transfer that involves them moving out of the area, such as CM. A second offense would see them out of the education system.

Of course, any causing harm to others or property injury should be prosecuted under the relevant laws.

Hear, hear.

[Ijustwannateach]

The problem with the 'lock 'em up' school of thought here is that it's not as though anything was done to prevent this or to help the kids who have resorted to gangs. There's no money for it. Most kids at schools like this are lower middle class at best. If they have family issues, if they are in trouble, if they are being bullied or abused- there's really no one to help them and no money to motivate anything to happen. It's easy to blame the parents, but it's likely that they have very little money or free time, and living in the city they don't have as many extended family members to help with supervision of children.

It's easy to blame the schools, but shutting them down will not control the gangs. It's just an extortion attempt to try to get the apparently already very overworked teachers to take care of a problem that the parents have no money for, and that the government will spend no money on. Properly speaking, this problem- once it has moved out of the schools proper- is the domain of the police and social workers. In Thailand, it is to laugh.