Thailand: Students now free to choose their hairstyles, as court annuls 50-year-old regulation

The court's ruling, made final on Wednesday, puts an end to a long-standing issue that had caused disputes among teachers, students, and parents.

The court ordered the annulment of a 1975 regulation the ministry issued, effective immediately, on the grounds that it violated individual freedom protected by the constitution and was out of touch with a changing society, as per Bangkok Post.

The regulation dictated specific hairstyles for male and female students. Boys were required to have short hair and were prohibited from having beards or mustaches, while girls were not allowed to grow their hair below their ears or wear makeup.

According to the Bangkok Post, the court found that this rule infringed upon individual freedom and was out of touch with modern society. The regulation was also deemed to be in conflict with the Child Protection Act of 2003 and had a negative impact on students.

The rule was originally based on a 1972 order by a military junta that specified acceptable hairstyles for students.

The goal was to promote discipline and good behavior among students. However, the court's decision brings an end to this decades-old restriction, allowing students to express themselves more freely.

"The order of the military regime and the ministry regulation in dispute cannot be considered as being for the utmost benefit of the students," the court said.

The court's final judgement is seen as a victory for the 23 students who first petitioned the Administrative Court in 2020, asking it to revoke the 1975 regulation.

The ministry has allowed some flexibility in student hairstyles and even dress codes since 2024. The court ruling means the ministry will now leave the issue of hairstyles up to individual schools.

Some schools pass it on to parents to decide, while others leave it to the school executive body or a joint sitting of teachers and parents.