Students now free to choose their hairstyles, Thai court rules

BBC - Mar 7th, 2025
Open on BBC

Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court has annulled a 50-year-old directive mandating strict hairstyle rules for school students, which required boys to have short hair and girls to maintain ear-length bobs. This decision comes after years of activism by students, including a petition filed by 23 public school students in 2020. Student activists argued that the directive infringed on personal freedoms and was outdated. The court's ruling reflects a growing recognition of individual rights, aligning with the education ministry's repealing of hair length restrictions earlier this year. Despite this progress, concerns remain that some schools with conservative views may continue to enforce their own restrictive guidelines.

The decision marks a significant shift in Thailand's educational policies, emphasizing the importance of student rights and personal freedoms. The ruling is a victory for student activists like Panthin Adulthananusak, who have campaigned for years against the restrictive measures, viewing them as a violation of human dignity. The move also highlights broader societal changes towards embracing diversity and fairness, while still acknowledging potential challenges in implementation at individual schools. The court's decision is seen as a step forward in promoting basic human rights within the educational system, setting a precedent for future reforms.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and accurate account of the recent legal decision regarding student hairstyles in Thailand. It effectively balances historical context with current developments, offering a clear and engaging narrative. While it excels in accuracy and timeliness, the article could benefit from increased transparency in sourcing and a broader range of perspectives to enhance its balance and source quality. Overall, it serves as a valuable piece for readers interested in educational policy, personal freedoms, and the impact of activism on legal systems.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story is highly accurate, as it aligns well with verified facts regarding the annulment of the 1975 directive by Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court. Key claims, such as the historical context of the hairstyle regulations and the involvement of student activism, are corroborated by multiple sources. The article accurately reports on the court's decision and its implications, including the constitutional argument against the directive, which is confirmed by external sources. However, the article could improve by providing more specific examples of schools that continued to enforce the old rules, as this claim is less substantiated with direct evidence.

8
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from both student activists and the educational authorities. It highlights the historical rationale for the hairstyle rules, such as discipline and tidiness, while also discussing the modern push for personal freedoms. However, it could benefit from more perspectives, such as those of school administrators or parents who support the traditional rules. This would provide a fuller picture of the ongoing debate and the diversity of opinions on the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the historical context, the court's decision, and its implications. The language is clear and concise, making the complex legal and social issues accessible to a general audience. However, the article could improve by providing more explicit definitions of legal terms or historical references to ensure full comprehension by readers unfamiliar with the topic.

7
Source quality

The article references credible sources, including statements from the court and the education ministry. It also includes quotes from a student activist, adding depth to the narrative. However, the article does not specify all its sources, such as the BBC article mentioned, which affects the ability to fully assess the reliability of some claims. Including more direct references to authoritative sources would enhance the credibility of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the events leading to the court's decision and the historical context of the hairstyle rules. However, it lacks explicit transparency regarding its sources, as it does not detail where all the information, such as specific school practices, is derived from. Greater transparency about the sources and methods used to gather information would strengthen the article's trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2973636/court-annuls-50-year-old-regulation-on-student-hairstyles
  2. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/03/05/thai-students-can-now-wear-their-hair-long-after-court-overturns-outdated-1975-ban
  3. https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/2974201/court-ends-50-year-old-rule-on-student-hairstyles
  4. https://thai.news/news/thailand/thailands-supreme-court-overturns-50-year-old-student-hairstyle-rule-a-victory-for-personal-freedom
  5. https://www.globe.co.th/news/thailand/thai-schools-granted-freedom-to-set-student-hairstyle-rules/