Pornchai Sereemongkonpol
Guru section Editor
Guru section Editor
Email : pornchais@bangkokpost.co.th
Hairy situation
Schools are back in session and so is the debate over the student hairstyle. A new batch of pictures of students whose hair got cut or shaved poorly against their will, as a form of punishment, by their teachers has been recently circulated online. We're probably getting another set once the next hair inspection day comes. Last Friday, student activists submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education asking for clarity over the hairstyle rule. You see, the ministry has already allowed students to wear their hair long so long as it's neat and complies with other conditions. However, a few schools still take it upon themselves to cut students' hair that they deem "inappropriate".
You go, girl!
A student by the name Ploy staged an impromptu protest in Siam Square last Saturday, pictures and videos of which were posted by two Twitter handles @BadStudent_ and @NuttaaBow. She sat on a chair hands-tied behind her back and mouth taped shut. A placard hanging from her neck reads, "This student violates a school rule by wearing her hair long past her eye lobes and in bangs, destroying the unique identity of Thai students. Please punish her." It ends with a hashtag "#เลิกบังคับหรือจับตัด (#StopForcingOrCutting)". A call to stop forcing Thai students to have a certain type of haircut or having their hair cut by the teachers against their will.
22 New Rules of (Not) Clubbing
Have you seen the draft list of 22 measures said to be applied to night-time entertainment venues once they are allowed to reopen? It will be submitted to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today, ahead of the fifth phase of Covid-19 curb-easing. While some of the measures are to be expected, a few rules have raised eyebrows as they don't sound conducive to reopening. Worse still, it seems that the person who suggested these new regulations has never put foot into a nightspot before.
School Fails
We would think that schools teach kids the right things or set good examples but that isn't always the case. Here are a few unfortunate recent cases to inspire would-be parents to home-school their children.
Kudos to steps toward diversity and equality
There has been welcoming news for the LGBT community in Thailand, just in time for pride month. I would like to give kudos to two major organisations that have shown support for diversity and the right to self-expression in Thailand.
New norms that don't make much sense
The phrase "new normal" has become the new cliché as Thailand eases restrictions on businesses and activities. You can go to a cinema without having to worry if anyone will see you bawl your eyes out during an emotional scene since the seats around you are empty. As we learn to live with new norms of everyday life, you may come across some that don't seem to make much sense. Here are a few for your entertainment.
Get acquainted with your new dining companions
The good and bad news is that dining in is (vaguely) business as usual. You go out with the fam or friends (often in the same car), scan a QR code to check-in on Thai Chana and then be seated at separate tables to enjoy food outside your home. Sounds complicated and contrary to the concept of family-time meals but that's the hidden price you pay in this Covid-19 world. If lucky, your new dining companion may be some kind of doll (not those ones). Whether they are good company or not, these dining companions are likely to be at restaurant tables for a while. Here are three that I've spotted. g
Tech show at malls reopening
Malls reopening on Sunday has brought with it many curious things, besides the possibility of selling your privacy to the govt just to get in, multiple checking-in-and-out you need to do while hitting different shops and cardboard dragons as your new dining companions. While strolling and practising social distancing, one may also come across innovations that have been put in place as part of the new shopping norm. It seems like major malls are trying to get one up on each other in terms of high-tech measures against Covid-19 to put shoppers' minds at ease. At the risk of sounding like a mall maniac (and being a free ad for malls), here are a few examples of technology spotted at various mall reopenings for your curiosity. Their effectiveness against Covid-19 (or originality) may not be guaranteed but their gimmicky effect is.
Acts of Kindness during Covid-19
One of the very few upsides of Covid-19 is the endless kindness people have shown towards one another. At the risk of sounding like a softie, here are two stories to restore your faith in humanity.
The first week of "new normal"
Last Sunday, Covid-19 curbs have been eased as 13 types of businesses were allowed to reopen after a month-long halt while four airlines resume domestic flights to 14 provinces since last Friday. Markets, public parks, food shops, barbershops, pet groomers and more resume operations under safety conditions, giving us back a sense of quasi-normalcy. The silver lining is that more businesses may be reopened if the daily tally of Covid-19 remains low (keeping fingers and toes crossed). In case you want to head out this weekend, you can look forwards to this.
