Watch the hair

Students wearing uniforms "improperly" will face punishment, if tentative Education Ministry regulations go ahead.

It's drafting new rules on student uniforms to replace decadesold rules. "This new regulation will cover students at both state and private schools," ministry permanent secretary Charuaypon Torranin says.

The new dress code requires schools to take disciplinary action against students for breaking it.

On Thursday, many schoolteachers, students and parents attended a seminar to air their opinions. "We will listen to their opinions before we conclude the details," Charuaypon says.

At the seminar, Suksanari School teacher Nualchan Boonart suggested new regulations should cover hairstyles too.

"If hairstyles are not controlled, students will compete with one another on looks and pay less attention to studies," Nualchan says.

Thanakarn Wipusmith from Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, however, says students should be allowed to do something with their hair.

"Children naturally want to try something different," she says, "But of course, they won't do anything that looks too bad".