'Solutions' to student brawls

Published: 11/02/2009 at 05:55 PM
Online news:

Executives of two well-known vocational colleges have agreed to set up six measures to prevent student brawls, after rival students from two educational institutes fought each other in front of Bangkok's popular shopping mall on Tuesday.

The measures include the organising of activities between students of the Uthen Thawai campus of Rajamangala University of Technology and Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Pathumwan Institute of Technology. They are also required to take some classes together.

Teachers and the alumnis of the two schools are also urged to help campaign for peace among the rival students.

Somkiat Jongprasitporn, dean of Pathumwan Institute of Technology, blamed the media for partly being responsible for the student violence, saying that the reports have caused further conflicts between the students.

The meeting between executives of the two schools came after about 100 students from the two rivals fought each other in a pitched battle with guns, knives and stones in front of hundreds of stunned shoppers, bus commuters, motorists and bystanders.

Dozens of police were mobilised to quell the violence. But only three students were arrested, as the rest managed to escape.

One bystander was beaten by a group of students, who thought he was a rival student.

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manit

Discussion 13 : 12/02/2009 at 05:21 AM13
This is the problems in educational system today. We teach only advance technology and materialism.We also advocate to advance in wealth,fame and prestidge.Most of students develop low morality and vertues, Their minds are deluded in greed,anger and hatred,ignorance.The best way to solved the violent among students.The school and the university must have have a mandatory courses of humanity,morality to teach the student to be respectful ,loving and kindness and compassion to all humen' being.
lalan

Discussion 12 : 12/02/2009 at 04:32 AM12
A new and radical idea for Thailand would be to Actually prosecute the offenders(even the rich and connected ones) to the fullest extent of the law(surely there must be one). Another even more radical idea would be police patrols on foot in the gathering areas, especially at peek hours when students are most likely to come into conflict. I know, the idea that a police officer in Thailand should actually do their job even when it might not gain them their extortion money and bribes is unheard of. One can always hope, right?
somsak

Discussion 11 : 12/02/2009 at 12:32 AM11
is there any better idea?
Somboon

Discussion 10 : 11/02/2009 at 11:54 PM10
It appears that the executives are thinking mainstream. They ought to look at the issue from the students' point of view. Why did they fight? What are the reasons for the fight? May be of a girlfriend, lack of discipline, lack of responsibility, family issues, etc? There have to be creative solutions, such as create something for them to do after school to show their achievement and be proud of. Try to look from their perspectives.

I would think music is one possible solution. Kids that age love music. Rock 'n Roll and blues (such as Grateful Dead, Stones, Who, Zep, Allman, Gov't Mule, Widespreadpanic, etc.) might do them good. Get them to talk/discuss to vent their feelings. Listen to them. Let them say and quesstion, but just isten. The Thai establishments have to be open-minded'; otherwise, the Song Remains the Same.
Gerry Chuensuksawadi

Discussion 9 : 11/02/2009 at 10:49 PM9
First to remark on 'artitk' comment, how you make it so easy to devise a solution by firstly suggesting the schools a time frame in which to do something about this or face for closure of the institute, then secondly label them as 'thugs'. This goes out for 'LOMSAK PETER' and 'kids' as well and their advices that sounds more like a mockery or a bad joke in this discussion, do you really think its simple to merge schools or cutting off ring leader's nuts to solve the issue? this is hundreds of them that took part in that fight, did you or anyone even bothered asking why they were fighting each other for? Do you even know anything about their background, lifestyle or even what think? If not then who are you to suggest such idiotic and demeaning ideas to improve this issue, I'm saying all this because obviously you don't have a clue or care much about what happens to them, for all care most was if they were dead or in hospital because of this. Until we ask those questions, learn really whats going on and devise a real plan into tackling the situation then there won't be an end it, and more and more ignorant people like the names mentioned will continue to make stupid comments and treat this as though its not such a real problem.
group pride

Discussion 8 : 11/02/2009 at 09:52 PM8
@ Discussion #8 - add to that gender / race / nationality and its really evil. The worst thing is that we are all taught it, especially here with the daily trooping of the colour. and how about the poor americans who have to promise daily to uphold their "values".
Walk the Walk

Discussion 7 : 11/02/2009 at 09:43 PM7
I absolutly agree with disc #1. This is not new it is happening for decades and it happens in every country around the world. As long as you feel that you belong to some group/school/team you have also this feeling of opposing the other group/school/team.
BMW wants these kids

Discussion 6 : 11/02/2009 at 09:32 PM6
Did these schools tell them they are needed in western countries for their skills??? I know they are miserable in Thailand but their skills can open the door to their prosperity in Europe and North America. They are more valuble and needed than these dumb elites with university degrees (who can't set the clock on their microwave)! Many feel hopeless with the way things go in Thailand so you got to entise them with job opportunity overseas. Come build and contribute in our democratic countries and you will be rewarded!! Quit fighting among yourself your elite enemy is laughing at you because you keep failing yourself.
sai

Discussion 5 : 11/02/2009 at 09:09 PM5
Its only piece of time when anger this kids will by turnet to the goverment.Not freedom of speach not IT, monitoring student movement.This kids its not stupid. Mark can say in period his study in UK Margaret its stupid UK majesty its ugly and now he forgot of freedom?
artitk

Discussion 4 : 11/02/2009 at 08:03 PM4
Allow them 6 months to the schools, promise to close both of them for good (by not accepting new students) if things doesn't improve by that time. Also, the police/media should treat these thugs that cause violence like criminals, not students. They are grown-up people that should take responsibility of their own actions. Being too soft to these thugs only make the matter worse.

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'Solutions' to student brawls