Youths admit cheating at an early age, and many don't think it's bad, study finds
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Dishonesty in Thailand sprouts roots at an early age - with 81 per cent of youths admitting they cheat in exams and 63 per cent saying they signed a class attendance form for an absent classmate, a new study has found.

And what's more, it is behaviour that most of respondents did not regard as seriously wrong.

About 25 per cent of students said they were comfortable with bribing a driving test officer to get a licence, according to the study by the Khon Thai Foundation and market research company GfK Thailand.

Under the Khon Thai Monitor 2014: Youth Today programme, 4,000 people aged 15-24 in 21 provinces were surveyed over five years up until February 2014 in a bid to better understand their lifestyle, attitudes, behaviour and needs.

The results will be officially announced on November 20 at Bangkok's Sukosol Hotel.

The study found that family, friends and teachers were key influences to the values of respondents, while 78 per cent of the 90 per cent of respondents who admitted to being under stress said they stressed about their studies.

Some 99 per cent of youths defined success as getting a good education and a well-paid job.

Social media has a big impact on their attitudes and behaviour, with them spending about four hours a day chatting with friends, getting news and playing games - which is just a little less than the time spent at school.

As a result, face-to-face interactions have been significantly reduced.

The respondents had a limited understanding of "active citizenship", as they mainly focused on their own surroundings rather than the larger community.

However, they want to contribute to Thailand's development but think they are too young to drive change and didn't know how to contribute.

Almost 15 per cent of respondents are involved in some active citizen activity, with five people selected from that group so their motivations could be studied.

The common characteristics are that they are socially-minded and positively contribute to society; they respect other people; have positive role models; follow rules and social norms; strive to improve society; think for themselves and act on those thoughts; follow current affairs; and actively participate in extracurricular activities.

The study provided key recommendations based on what the respondents had said in a bid to develop a culture of young people being active.

How to make youths active

They include the promotion of the family institution and good parenting, corporations promoting a work/life balance and the government supporting social welfare programmes that boost interaction among family members.

The media - especially online - should help raise awareness, provide knowledge on and promote active citizenship among the young.

Further studies on the younger generation should be conducted to find out what drives active young people, while identifying the obstacles the face to being active and taking programmes as good active citizens.

Positives like civic education and educational policies that promote a better understanding about active citizenship and motivate and inspire young people should also be carried out, the study said.

As kick-off activity, the foundation and GfK Thailand developed an engaging active citizen fun quiz for the young to do via Facebook, in order to educate and raise awareness about active citizenship.

The foundation's definition of active citizenship is as follows:

- Personal: Being kind and mindful of society;

- Society: Contributing to society including respecting social rules and helping develop a community;

- National: Engaging and participating in national/political affairs including voting and actively following national news and developments;

- Environmental: Conserving and developing the environment including recycling and planting trees;

- Values: Having good values, including possessing a democratic mindset, respecting human rights, displaying good ethics and appreciating cultural diversity.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Youths-admit-cheating-at-an-early-age-and-many-don-30247323.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-09

Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

Students admit signing in an absent classmates and how many times have we seen videos of MPs running around the house, when it operates, to vote for absent colleagues ?

Cheating starts early, parents, teachers and schools are all amenable and if students come from richer families the cheating comes in the form of what's needed can be bought.

With the cheating, corruption etc set at a young age it's not going to change and when the youngsters now become parents themselves it's simply passed on.

The public also see how those and such as those thrive with corruption etc and are rarely held to account.

They shouldn't worry about exams, just do what I did as a kid and have a couple of shoots of the old man's vodka to settle down the nerves at breakfast on exam morning.

Cheating is a way of life for many. In certain countries it is more prevalent.

They think it is OK to cheat and lie. That is the foundation that leads to all of Thailand's problems.

It is nothing less than stupid. It is why Thailand will always remain at its global level while many other countries will overtake them.

This is testament to Thailand moving backwards in the eyes of the rest of the world, and they don't seem to give a shit.

I am tired of this country pointing fingers at everyone else in the world claiming they don't understand Thais. Problem is, the rest of the world DO understand Thais.

They will come down to earth with a bump eventually. I doubt the rest of ASEAN is going to stand for the way Thai's do things. (From the cradle to the grave)...

"Dishonesty in Thailand sprouts roots at an early age - with 81 per cent of youths admitting they cheat in exams and 63 per cent saying they signed a class attendance form for an absent classmate, a new study has found...it is behaviour that most of respondents did not regard as seriously wrong."

This comes out a day after an article where the Deputy Minister of Education was addressing the existing problems of the education system. The real existing problem is Thai society itself, where no one feels the need to hide corruption, starting at the earliest levels of childhood. How does he expect the education system, or for that matter any other system to solve its problems when the foundation of the entire society is based in lying and cheating? Worse yet, is that children see how corruption is rewarded with wealth, power, and much face to those who engage in it.

How does one reform and entire culture?

I would like to say 'they are only hurting themselves' but if they get into any position of importance/authority, then their ignorance will harm many.

Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

I think if the Highest Person in Thailand would tell them to be more responsible (especially on the roads) that it will work. I always thought that buddhist are responsible people who won't harm eachother.

Also those minibuses from the big (expensive) schools should drive more responsible, all the kids sit hours in those buses and start thinking that driving like that is the normal way to drive.

"As kick-off activity, the foundation and GfK Thailand developed an engaging active citizen fun quiz for the young to do via Facebook, in order to educate and raise awareness about active citizenship."

Hahaha!! Yeah - way to go - good start.

"Dishonesty in Thailand sprouts roots at an early age - with 81 per cent of youths admitting they cheat in exams and 63 per cent saying they signed a class attendance form for an absent classmate, a new study has found...it is behaviour that most of respondents did not regard as seriously wrong."

This comes out a day after an article where the Deputy Minister of Education was addressing the existing problems of the education system. The real existing problem is Thai society itself, where no one feels the need to hide corruption, starting at the earliest levels of childhood. How does he expect the education system, or for that matter any other system to solve its problems when the foundation of the entire society is based in lying and cheating? Worse yet, is that children see how corruption is rewarded with wealth, power, and much face to those who engage in it.

How does one reform and entire culture?

I taught at a school where I seen my students with their exam results before I have even given them the exam let alone mark it and hand in the results!

Don´t point just the finger at kids. Often the schools want to look good an attract more students (customers!) and earn more $$

Kids pass the exams not knowing J*ck sh*t, kids are happy, parents are proud. Teachers have good face, schools is happy it´s a win win win situation Thai style!

in reality its lose lose lose,

Is this what they call "Thainess" ? For any teacher here, this is a non-story. Thais try to follow western education standards by valuing individual performance, but Thais do not actually value this. They much prefer working together. In the West, employees would call this collaboration. Kids here are never taught to value their own work. Even the best kid will let the bozo next to him copy his work. Until I failed them also for letting them copy

Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

I think if the Highest Person in Thailand would tell them to be more responsible (especially on the roads) that it will work. I always thought that buddhist are responsible people who won't harm eachother.

Also those minibuses from the big (expensive) schools should drive more responsible, all the kids sit hours in those buses and start thinking that driving like that is the normal way to drive.

I think being a Thai trumps being a Buddhist on most occasions. They have a number of Buddhist traits, but seem to cherry pick the ones that they like and sit well with them. No vice and gambling? ...hmmm....

I would like to say 'they are only hurting themselves' but if they get into any position of importance/authority, then their ignorance will harm many.

Well we see this time and time again here. You either need to be smart or well connected to get a job here. There's a saying in Thai - it's better to have a dumb lazy boss than a dumb hard working one. How did the dumb one get the job in the first place?

Cheating is a way of life for many. In certain countries it is more prevalent.

Which ones?

Any economically and socially successful ones in the list?

I would like to say 'they are only hurting themselves' but if they get into any position of importance/authority, then their ignorance will harm many.

Well we see this time and time again here. You either need to be smart or well connected to get a job here. There's a saying in Thai - it's better to have a dumb lazy boss than a dumb hard working one. How did the dumb one get the job in the first place?

Crony-ism and nepotism.

In Thailand, a land where relationships are more important than what's right, it's 'who you know' rather than 'what you know' that determines if you get the job in the first place and then promotions are open to all who want to pay. My best bud is very well connected to top civil servants and he is often called to negotiate a lesser price for someone's promotion. Because they know my friend (who you know), they pay less for their promotions than others (the 'what you knows'). Because of 'Thainess', no one will ever point out that someone may not be qualified for their position. Knowing the system of hiring and promotion, I am constantly amazed that anything works here.

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Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

Students admit signing in an absent classmates and how many times have we seen videos of MPs running around the house, when it operates, to vote for absent colleagues ?

Cheating starts early, parents, teachers and schools are all amenable and if students come from richer families the cheating comes in the form of what's needed can be bought.

With the cheating, corruption etc set at a young age it's not going to change and when the youngsters now become parents themselves it's simply passed on.

The public also see how those and such as those thrive with corruption etc and are rarely held to account.

"Some 99 percent of youths defined success as getting a good education and a well paid job."

That's how far the brain washing has gone. Maybe if it was stopped then they wouldn't feel the need to lie.

"Some 99 percent of youths defined success as getting a good education and a well paid job."

That's how far the brain washing has gone. Maybe if it was stopped then they wouldn't feel the need to lie.

My dear Thai-bashing friend, I suspect you would have got exactly the same answer from Western youths!

A post containing content that messed up the formatting of this page has been removed. A troll post has been removed as well.

We hear Thais are a close family this means they are learning their behavior for their family,

Good Job

There are NO consequences for actions! Not only in the schools but about everywhere else. Indeed, it is often condoned and celebrated.

Of course they see nothing wrong with it.

Thainess? Yes, it happens elsewhere to a degree, but basically lying and cheating being the accepted norm here is just all wrong.

"Dishonesty in Thailand sprouts roots at an early age - with 81 per cent of youths admitting they cheat in exams and 63 per cent saying they signed a class attendance form for an absent classmate, a new study has found...it is behaviour that most of respondents did not regard as seriously wrong."

This comes out a day after an article where the Deputy Minister of Education was addressing the existing problems of the education system. The real existing problem is Thai society itself, where no one feels the need to hide corruption, starting at the earliest levels of childhood. How does he expect the education system, or for that matter any other system to solve its problems when the foundation of the entire society is based in lying and cheating? Worse yet, is that children see how corruption is rewarded with wealth, power, and much face to those who engage in it.

How does one reform and entire culture?

Maybe Jesus Christ or. Moses is the Answer

Well, what to say? When the role models are corrupt or missing, this is the end result.

I think if the Highest Person in Thailand would tell them to be more responsible (especially on the roads) that it will work. I always thought that buddhist are responsible people who won't harm eachother.

Also those minibuses from the big (expensive) schools should drive more responsible, all the kids sit hours in those buses and start thinking that driving like that is the normal way to drive.

I think being a Thai trumps being a Buddhist on most occasions. They have a number of Buddhist traits, but seem to cherry pick the ones that they like and sit well with them. No vice and gambling? ...hmmm....

Not raising animals for food? Not accepting gifts of gold or silver? Not eating meat? freedom from desires? detachment from ego? (saving face is attaching to ego! ) Not telling lies? no sexual misconduct? No alchohol or drugs? (mind altering substances)

The official religion of Thailand is Buddhism but the people are not Buddhists, merely lay Buddhists, perhaps like many westerners are lay Christians.

"Dishonesty in Thailand sprouts roots at an early age - with 81 per cent of youths admitting they cheat in exams and 63 per cent saying they signed a class attendance form for an absent classmate, a new study has found...it is behaviour that most of respondents did not regard as seriously wrong."

This comes out a day after an article where the Deputy Minister of Education was addressing the existing problems of the education system. The real existing problem is Thai society itself, where no one feels the need to hide corruption, starting at the earliest levels of childhood. How does he expect the education system, or for that matter any other system to solve its problems when the foundation of the entire society is based in lying and cheating? Worse yet, is that children see how corruption is rewarded with wealth, power, and much face to those who engage in it.

How does one reform and entire culture?

Maybe Jesus Christ or. Moses is the Answer

Right. We see how great things worked out in their homeland.

Almost 15 per cent of respondents are involved in some active citizen activity, with five people selected from that group so their motivations could be studied....

controversial that 15% number...as they said earlier that 81% involved in cheating...

an obvious active citizen activity!!

Most get over cheating as they get a little older.

Those who don't become either politicians or jail inmates......or both.

A post containing content that messed up the formatting of this page has been removed. A troll post has been removed as well.

I posted that Thailand was a nation in moral decay along with a google definition of the word decay. It appears to have been removed. If this is the case am I now considered a troll? Don't get it? Please explain.

Thanks,