Permanent Secretary Jaruayphorn Thorranin said suspensions could be used against students with behavioural problems in three circumstances - excessive aggressiveness, extremely immoral acts and violent acts harmful to others.

Students who could be subject to suspension include those in high school or vocational schools.

The appropriate duration of suspensions has not been determined but will soon be decided, Jaruayphorn said.

Suspension from classes for students as a form of punshiment was done away by the ministry two years ago, she said, but the move was now being reintroduced in a bid to rein in badly-behaved students.

The revival was prompted by petitions from parents whose children have been victims of violent classmates or who suffered physical assault by students from rival schools.

The 2005 regulation says that four types of punishment are permitted for students: admonishment, parole, deduction of disciplinary points and mandatory recreational or rehabilitation courses.

The previous ruling had revoked suspension from class and caning, which had long been practised in Thailand,

following a series of campaigns by educators and child psychiatrists.