Education Minister Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Bullying LINE Groups
Education Minister Akanat Kankittinan has ordered a nationwide crackdown on LINE OpenChat groups used for bullying children, directing schools and education offices to report harmful groups for immediate shutdown. The ministry is coordinating with LINE Thailand, the digital economy ministry, and cyber police to remove offending groups by November 10, 2026, emphasizing that online bullying causes lasting psychological damage and must not be tolerated.
On November 10, 2026, Education Minister Akanat Kankittinan, chairman of the Center for the Protection of Rights, Liberties, and Safety, ordered the center's directors, provincial education office heads, and school directors nationwide to urgently inspect and report LINE OpenChat groups displaying bullying, harassment, or threatening behavior toward children and youth. The move aims to prevent impacts on students' mental health and safety. Minister Akanat instructed relevant agencies to swiftly examine inappropriate LINE OpenChat groups. If groups with bullying or threats against children are found, they must be reported to the platform immediately, while coordinating with LINE Thailand, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), and the Cyber Police to jointly inspect and shut down groups causing harm to children and youth. "Online bullying of children and youth cannot be ignored, because each act of harassment can inflict long-term psychological wounds. We must intervene urgently and not allow these groups to become spaces where anyone can bully or harm others without accountability," Minister Akanat said. He also urged provincial education offices and school directors to monitor the situation closely and raise awareness among teachers, parents, and students to jointly watch for online bullying, ensuring educational institutions remain safe spaces for children and youth.
