Education Minister Plans Stricter School Safety With Full Search Powers
Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing stricter school safety measures nationwide, including giving teachers search powers and banning weapons, drugs, and tobacco products. The move follows an escalation of security protocols announc
Thailand's Education Ministry is preparing to tighten safety measures in schools nationwide, including stricter controls on weapons, drugs, and all types of tobacco. Teachers will be granted full authority to conduct searches. On August 9, Education Minister Prasert Chanthrawong announced that the government and ministry have escalated security to the highest level, with strict bans on weapons and illegal items, screening of at-risk groups, and consideration of installing scanners in schools where appropriate, in coordination with local police. The ministry also held urgent meetings with school administrators nationwide to explain the enhanced security measures, aiming to build confidence among parents, teachers, and students while upgrading safety systems in educational institutions with clearer standards and procedures. Immediate measures include requesting media cooperation to avoid disclosing perpetrator information to prevent copycat behavior, providing ongoing mental health counseling to those affected by incidents, and strengthening security measures across all schools. For long-term action, the ministry is preparing to advance a draft Student Safety Protection Act, while in the short term it will increase enforcement against weapons, drugs, and e-cigarettes, with teachers authorized to conduct searches.
