BANGKOK — Bullying is becoming more severe and taking increasingly diverse forms, with Thailand ranking among the countries most affected by the problem, according to the Department of Medical Services.

The department, through the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, said on August 11 that schools were the most common setting for bullying, with the behaviour having significant effects on children's physical and psychological development.

Dr Thanin Wechaphinan, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said bullying refers to behaviour intended to make another person feel ashamed, hurt or distressed, with perpetrators gaining satisfaction or enjoyment from the act.

He said bullying could stem from psychological insecurity, personal complexes, family and environmental problems, a desire for acceptance or control, or having previously been bullied themselves. Several factors can contribute to the behaviour, including internal psychological issues, the surrounding environment and a lack of emotional skills. Bullying can also recur.

Thanin said bullying can be divided into four main types: physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying.

All forms can affect children of different ages, particularly those still undergoing important stages of development. Children's psychological resilience also varies from one individual to another.

While adults may view bullying as a minor problem, it can leave lasting emotional scars. Signs may include changes in behaviour, reluctance to attend school, depression and unhappiness.

Parents and guardians should regularly talk with their children and spend time with them so they feel safe and comfortable sharing their experiences. Recognising warning signs early can help parents intervene and reduce the risk of more serious problems in the future.

Bullying changes with age

Dr Akom Chaweewirawatthana, director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, said bullying could occur at any age, although its forms tend to vary with children's development.

Young children commonly experience physical bullying, ranging from teasing and rough play to physical assault.

Verbal bullying is more common among children in primary school, including mocking parents' names, appearance, skin colour or personal insecurities.

Among teenagers, who are developing their identities, bullying often concerns personality, social status, values and possessions. Social bullying can also involve excluding someone from a peer group or spreading rumours intended to humiliate them.

Cyberbullying is another major concern among teenagers. It can include spreading false information, posting photographs or videos without permission, and making abusive comments online.

Such behaviour can harm victims and may also violate Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act, Akom said.

Parents should therefore pay particular attention to their children's online activities. Bullying is not solely a problem affecting children, he said.

On August 11, 2025, prominent amulet dealers Dorn Tianthawornwong (Madam Keng) and Watchrapong Radoamsitriphattana (U Krungsiam) filed a formal request with Central Investigation Bureau commander General Nattasak Chawanashay for updates on their 300 million baht fraud case against renowned amulet dealer Tone Bangkaew. Madam Keng stated she simply wanted to check on case progress after considerable time had elapsed, emphasizing she had no intention to pressure investigators. She revealed investing 100 million baht in optical equipment without understanding the technical specifications that Tone used in fraudulent marketing.

U Krungsiam said Madam Keng had been losing sleep over the matter but acknowledged the Central Investigation Bureau's heavy caseload. He thanked authorities for establishing a task force and interviewing witnesses, hoping for faster progress. Earlier that morning, Tone Bangkaew was seen leaving the bureau's complaint center after meeting with officers from the Suppression Division. When asked what he was doing there, he replied "nothing" and quickly left.

Deputy commander Pol. Col. Suwat Saengnoom said the investigation team was working diligently to ensure fairness to all parties. He noted that the complaint center's records did not clarify Tone's purpose for that morning's visit.

Phuket's juvenile court has ordered a 12-year-old Myanmar girl held for 30 days pending investigation after she allegedly attacked a 14-year-old Thai girl in a school bathroom in Phuket. According to the Thai victim's complaint, the Myanmar girl led a group that entered the school and assaulted her in the bathroom, striking and kicking her, forcing her head into a sink, and forcing her to bow to their feet. The girl's parents filed a report with police.

On August 10, Cherng Talay Station officers filed charges against the girl in the presence of the Phuket provincial prosecutor, a psychologist, and other parties requested by the girl according to legal procedure. The next day, on August 11, investigators brought her before Phuket's Juvenile and Family Court to determine whether she met the legal definition of a child subject to delinquency proceedings and to verify that the charges and treatment of the girl complied with law.

During the hearing, investigators outlined the reasons, necessity, and evidence for the case, noting that the girl's behavior posed serious risk to others and citing other relevant factors, including that both her parents had been dismissed from their jobs. After review, the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court ordered the girl remanded to the Phuket Child and Youth Protection Institute for 30 days during the investigation.

If the investigation is not completed within that time, investigators may request an extension of no more than 15 days per request, up to two requests, following legal procedure. Once the case is finalized, further legal action will be taken, and the girl will be referred to the Immigration Bureau for processing. However, because the accused is a minor, the case proceedings and reporting must respect her rights and interests according to law.

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On August 11, 2569 at Government House, Education Minister Prasert Chantharwongthong announced that the Ministry of Education had presented school safety measures to the Cabinet for approval. The ministry requested cooperation from all government agencies with schools to implement the Education Ministry's directive on school safety measures, effective immediately.

The announcement followed a violent incident at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi on August 7. The ministry, in coordination with relevant agencies, has established seven key measures: (1) establishing rights, freedom, and safety centers at all educational institutions; (2) accelerating the drafting of a master law on safety and use of communication tools and electronic devices, with public comment open until September 9 before submission to Parliament; (3) conducting strict inspections and screening for illegal items, weapons, and dangerous objects before entry to schools; (4) providing mental health counseling to students, teachers, and staff; (5) preparing for school reopening on August 17, 2569, with support from Chulalongkorn University's psychology team, the Mental Health Crisis Assistance Team (MCATT), the Department of Mental Health, and local psychologists; (6) continuous rehabilitation through psychological assessments and screening at one month, three months, and six months to ensure return to normalcy; and (7) making schools safe zones.

"The Ministry of Education expresses deep concern and sorrow over the incident and extends condolences to the families of the deceased and injured," Prasert said. "We assure parents and the public that student and educational personnel safety is the ministry's highest priority, and we will provide comprehensive psychological care and rehabilitation to all affected individuals."

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister stated that the Education Minister briefed the Cabinet on the measures and that the government is elevating school safety to a national agenda to prevent violence in schools. When asked if there were additional recommendations, the Prime Minister said he had provided input from the Interior Ministry and the Royal Thai Police in their oversight capacity.