Nearly 70% of Nakhon Ratchasima Teens Report Exam Stress
Nearly 70% of teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima experience exam-related stress, according to a survey of over 1,000 youth that also found bullying and family pressure as major mental health concerns. Experts call for cultural shift allowing yo
A survey of 1,070 teenagers aged 13–18 in Nakhon Ratchasima Province has revealed significant mental health concerns among young people in the region. Youth reported an average happiness score of 3.70 out of 5, while their average stress score was 3.19, with 40.5 percent experiencing high levels of pressure. The leading sources of stress were academic pressure and exams (69.4 percent), bullying (40.6 percent), and family pressure (38.9 percent).
The event, held under the theme "Youth Voices Change the City: Safe and Creative Nakhon Ratchasima for All," included presentations on urban development proposals based on youth input. Sumanda Plumsoehnoen, coordinator of the Matchstick Group, advocated for a cultural shift toward giving young people more opportunities rather than imposing restrictions. She argued that bans motivated by care and concern do not necessarily keep children safe, and that society should instead create space for children to learn and grow—allowing younger children to play, older children to experiment, and teenagers to make their own decisions.
