A 15-year-old political activist who was kicked out of school for allegedly failing to complete her enrolment process in time on Monday marched to the school in Bangkok, saying she has a right to an education.
Thanalop “Yok” Phalancha, who was enrolled at Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School in Bangkok as a Year 10 student until it revoked her enrolment last week, on Monday made her way onto the school’s grounds unopposed, despite it being ringed by policewomen tasked with ensuring order.
She was seen with her trademark dyed hair and wearing casual clothing, in defiance of school regulations.
Yok insisted on her right to an education and rejected the school management’s statement over the weekend, which said her enrolment was “incomplete”. She said the process was completed on May 16 and that she had already paid her school fees and had studied there for a month.
She stood firm on her right to dye her hair, wear clothes of her own choosing instead of a school uniform, and refrain from participating in school ceremonies, which she said are “a reflection of authoritarianism”.
However, she said she would wear a uniform if every student at the school agreed to do so.
The teenager slammed the Move Forward Party for being slow to take up her cause.
While the party has repeatedly spoken about its objection to school regulations on student uniforms and hairstyles, it only issued a statement of support after she climbed over fences to enter her school for three days, she said.
On Sunday, the party issued a statement saying all children had the right to an education regardless of the status of their guardians and that this principle should also apply in Yok’s case.
Meanwhile, at least 50 student networks on Monday issued a joint declaration demanding more freedom regarding school dress codes and hairstyles.
Published on the Thammasat Rangsit Student Council Facebook fan page on Monday, the declaration demanded that schools and universities respect students’ rights over their bodies, as guaranteed by the constitution.
Over the weekend, Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School said Yok was no longer a student at the school because her parents did not show up on enrolment day. It also said Yok’s misconduct at school was a threat to the safety of fellow students, staff, parents and school property.