Boy, a 20-year-old sophomore, said when he first arrived in Bangkok to study he stayed at an all-male dormitory. Then, a year after he met with his 19-year-old girlfriend Jaeng, they moved in together.

"We wanted to find out if we could really get along and possibly get married after graduation," Boy said. "If we didn't get along I might have had to let her go."

Living with Jaeng made life in Bangkok less lonely and stressful, he said.

Boy said their parents did not know they were living together. "It may not be good if they find out, but we feel we are not doing anything wrong. To stay with someone you love and share expenses is good."

Many of his male friends also live with their girlfriends.

"If authorities control the dorms and do not allow us to be together, we'd just move somewhere else, which is not so scary because people live as couples at many condominiums and apartments, although rental fees may be higher," Boy said.

Jaeng said living with Boy helped her save money. "My family don't know I have a boyfriend. I don't want to tell them because they may be upset. I figure I could tell them later, after I graduate and get a job."

New rules on dormitories will make it more difficult for couples to stay together, but if they are determined they will find a way, she said.

Third-year university student Ekkayuth said he had just moved in with his girlfriend so he would not have to travel so often from his dorm to see her.

"It'll be very difficult to prevent students from living as couples because there are many dorms and apartments we can move to," he said.

"If the government is serious about solving problems for us, they should work on educational standards and how to ensure equal access to up-to-date education."

Co-ed dorms lack privacy and security for young women, said university student Thararat Sonsuparb. "A girl next door used to complain that some men knocked on her door at night, thinking it was their girlfriend's room," she said. She was so frightened she moved to an all-female dorm.

Although the crackdown on dormitories may fail to prevent premarital sex, Ramkhamhaeng University students Watcharin Rincha, Pilaiporn Anuchon and Paradee Reungsuksriwong said it should at least help improve conditions at dorms.

Watcharin said many dorms had been modified from commercial buildings in order to squeeze seven or eight people into one floor, with each paying about Bt700 to Bt1,500 per month.

Pilaiporn said many dorms, including hers, were dimly lit and claustrophobic.

The crackdown should prevent landlords from taking advantage of students, she said.

A few months ago a fire broke out in a dorm but the fire escape was locked, Paradee said. Its owner only repaid student tenants their Bt1,400 deposits and Bt40-a-day compensation for four days.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation