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For decades, Thai schools enforced rigid haircut rules: boys were required to maintain short, military-style cuts, and girls had to wear their hair cropped above their ears. These regulations, relics of authoritarian educational policies, symbolized a larger system that prioritized conformity over individuality and human dignity. Today, these rules have finally been abolished—or at least suspended—marking a significant victory in the fight for student freedom. However, this quiet triumph comes after years of noisy struggles led by students and activists who challenged the status quo.
The Ministry of Education recently confirmed the change in policy, stating:
“The Ministry of Education reiterates that the 2020 regulations concerning students’ hairstyles have been revoked as of January 16, 2023. The ‘ear-length bob’ or ‘buzz cut’ are no longer considered ‘student hairstyles.’ Schools now have the discretion to determine hairstyle guidelines in consultation with students, fostering creative and constructive dialogue.”
This announcement is a milestone. Yet, for many of us who have been part of this movement, it feels bittersweet. Many of the students who once led these efforts have graduated or moved on from school. The military junta that once stifled such activism has passed, but the exhaustion of those years remains. As someone who has been involved in this struggle since 2013, I feel it is important to reflect on this journey and honor those who endured bullying, trauma, and punishment for daring to question unjust rules.

A Long Journey of Resistance
The fight to abolish haircut rules did not begin in recent years. It traces back to generations of student activism. In October 1973, students fought against malpractice in schools alongside broader societal reforms. They were the pioneers of the movement for student rights in Thailand.
My own journey began in 2010, when I was just 14 years old. I wrote a school essay arguing that haircut rules were obsolete and should be abolished. For this, I was placed on probation—a punishment that highlighted how deeply ingrained these norms were in the educational system. Yet, my defiance was just a small part of a much larger movement.
In November 2012, the Thai Students Educational Revolution Alliance (TERA) launched a campaign to abolish haircut rules. Their petition, hosted on Change.org, garnered over 1,000 signatures. By January 2013, then-Minister of Education Pongthep Thepkanchana issued a directive allowing boys to grow their hair longer and girls to wear their hair past their ears. However, resistance from schools persisted, and enforcement was inconsistent.
In May 2013, TERA conducted a survey revealing that over 100 schools continued to enforce the old rules. Despite new regulations, many institutions clung to outdated practices, defying ministry directives. On May 27, 2013, TERA submitted the list of non-compliant schools to the Ministry of Education, but the changes were met with significant resistance. The military coup of 2014 further suppressed these efforts, restoring oppressive norms and sidelining discussions of human rights and freedoms in schools. The junta’s “militarized education” policies, including the promotion of “12 Core Values,” sought to instill obedience and conformity, pushing the haircut issue back into the shadows.
Escalating Activism and Public Awareness
In 2015, the Education for Liberation of Siam group proposed 11 reforms to the Ministry of Education. One of their key points was the promotion of human rights in schools, which included the abolition of strict hairstyle and uniform policies. They argued that such regulations reinforced authoritarianism and hindered the development of critical thinking and individuality among students.
By 2019, a new generation of activists reignited the fight. The Education for Liberation of Siam group organized the provocative exhibition Education Kills Me at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). The exhibition depicted five student corpses to symbolize the devastating impact of Thailand’s oppressive education system, including its haircut rules. This act of defiance captured public attention and set the stage for broader discussions.
In May 2020, the Ministry of Education issued updated regulations, formally abolishing the “buzz cut” and “ear-length bob” requirements. However, enforcement remained lax. Schools continued to impose their own rules, exploiting loopholes in the new policy. In response, the Bad Student group launched a series of high-profile protests. On June 3, 2020, they submitted a letter to the Ministry of Education, demanding clarity and consistency in the implementation of the new rules. Students symbolically cut their hair in front of ministry officials to underscore their demands.
Social Media Campaigns and Viral Movements
Social media played a crucial role in amplifying the movement. In November 2020, the hashtag #ผมยาวบังเพื่à¸à¸™ (“Long Hair Blocking Friends”) went viral after a deputy education official argued on television that long hair disrupted classroom dynamics. Students and netizens responded by sharing images of themselves with long hair, turning the official’s statement into a meme. This online resistance further galvanized public support for the cause.
In December 2020, the Bad Student group organized a campaign encouraging students to wear free hairstyles and uniforms to school. This act of collective defiance demonstrated the growing momentum of the movement and its ability to challenge deeply rooted norms.

Corporate Advocacy and Cultural Shifts
In 2022, corporate entities like Dove and Mistine joined the conversation, launching campaigns that celebrated individuality and opposed oppressive beauty standards. Dove’s #LetHerGrow campaign highlighted the importance of self-expression and bodily autonomy for students, gaining over 10 million views in less than a month. These campaigns helped shift public perceptions and added a new dimension to the movement.
A Victory Worth Celebrating
The struggle culminated in January 2023, when the Ministry of Education officially transferred the authority to decide hairstyle policies to individual schools, with an emphasis on student consultation. This marked a significant step forward, signaling a shift toward greater respect for student rights and human dignity. By February 2023, progressive schools like Wat That Thong School had begun allowing students to choose hairstyles based on their gender identity, setting an important precedent for inclusivity.
As we celebrate this hard-won victory, we must remember the countless students who faced bullying, psychological trauma, and even expulsion for defying these rules. Their sacrifices paved the way for a freer, more inclusive education system. Yet, this is not the end. The fight for student freedom, human dignity, and democracy continues.
Younger generations must learn that these victories come not from passivity but from struggle, strategic planning, creativity, and collaboration. Democracy and human rights are fragile; they require vigilance and active defense. Let this be a lesson from the past: though the struggle may be bitter, its fruits are undeniably sweet.