Parents ‘failed’ to show for enrolment
The Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School has announced that activist Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai is no longer a student there after she failed to complete the enrolment process.
The 15-year-old was recently released on bail from a juvenile centre in Nakhon Pathom after she was charged with royal defamation.
Last week, the Mathayom 4, or Grade 10, student showed up in school in casual clothes and with dyed hair to protest against uniform and hairstyle rules, with the school barring her from class as a result. She then climbed the school’s fence to enter her class.
On Saturday the school issued a statement signed by director Jintana Srisarakham saying she was no longer a student at the school. It said Yok had failed to complete her enrolment process because her parents did not show up on enrolment day. It also said Yok’s misconduct in school was a threat to the safety of fellow students, staff, parents and the school’s property.
On Facebook on Sunday, Yok said she wanted to go to school but was barred from entry.
Addressing her anti-uniform stance, Yok said other students also agree with her call to ban uniforms from schools, but they are told by parents and teachers to obey the rules. “How can [we] grow up to be judges, civil servants or high-rank officials who dare to go against the unjust?” Yak said.
Amarat Chokpamitkul, Move Forward Party executive, expressed concerns about Yok not being under the care of her parents, who have reportedly disappeared following Yok’s legal troubles. Yok has reportedly been placed under a guardian named “Bung”.
“Since Yok has been released from detention, not a single therapist has spoken to her,” she said. “[Welfare] agencies seem to be hands-off in Yok’s case.”
Ticha Na Nakorn, adviser to the Children, Youth and Family Foundation, said Yok may have been expelled from school because she was charged with royal defamation.
“Everyone has given their judgement even before the trial starts,” she wrote. “Yok’s mother has not abandoned her but she is scared of those who fear Section 112 [the royal defamation law].”