Skimpy School Uniform, Like Amended Short Skirt, Now Illegal in Thailand

Skimpy school uniforms. Where do I start?

As Singaporeans will surely attest to, school uniforms exist, not for educational purposes…

But for modification purposes.

And honestly, who could blame them? Baggy pants. Long skirts.

That’s hardly the best way to attract your crush in school, is it?

As such, it’s hardly any wonder how modification has become the new norm. Hemming of skirts, tapering of pants and folding of sleeves. Teachers spot. Teachers nag. But everything falls on deaf ears.

It’s a new era of school dressing, and it seems that it’s here to stay.

But here’s the thing. While Singaporeans might be able to get away with it (save for random spot checks that don’t really deter anyone), the same can’t quite be said about the schoolchildren from Thailand. On 30 August, updates were announced to Thailand’s Child Protection Act 2003:

School uniforms should be worn in an orderly fashion, and any obscene attire is strictly prohibited.

And if you do opt to flout this particular rule?

You could effectively be committing a… crime.

Skimpy School Uniform, Like Amended Short Skirt, Now Illegal in Thailand

According to AsiaOne, the updates were announced on 30 August 2019. In the updates, it was specified that school uniforms should be worn in an orderly fashion.

Any obscene attire is prohibited.

Apparently, the move was meant to reduce the trend of skimpy attire and short skirts among female students. But then again…

There were no specific guidelines on what constitutes “obscene” attire.

The penalties, however, were clearly listed. Under the act, the parents or guardians of a student who flouts such regulations, could be fined up to 30,000baht (S$1,360)…

And perhaps even face jail time.

A week behind bars just to look cooler? Well, you decide.

A New Era. Kinda.

This is reportedly the first update to the act since 2005. The education ministry has said that new regulations were appropriate to usher in a more modern age and society.

Anyone else sensing the heavy irony here? Just me? Okay.

Also, the move comes at a time when other countries are allowing students more freedom and autonomy over their attire.

Dammit, the iron’s strong in this one.

Skimpy Attire Equates To Asking For Trouble

Now I know what you’re thinking.

“It’s for the greater good,” you reason. “If they wear less revealing clothing, male hormones would be less likely to be set off. This will reduce the chances of sexual assault, and the world will be a better place.”

And well, that does make sense. After all, temptations do arise from something.

However, research has shown that the incidence of sexual assault… actually has little to do with what women wear. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. The idea that women are more likely to be sexually harassed or assaulted if they dress skimpily… is more of a myth than reality. But of course, don’t take your birthday suit onto the streets just yet.

There’s still a moral code to follow after all.

But enough about me. What do you think of this latest development? And do you agree with the notion that women should watch what they wear on the streets?