Thailand Ranks Among World's Worst for School Bullying
Thailand ranks among the world's worst countries for school bullying, with research showing the problem significantly impacts children's physical and psychological development across all age groups and forms including physical, verbal, soci
The Department of Medical Sciences, through the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, has revealed that bullying behavior is becoming increasingly severe and varied, with Thailand ranking among the world's top countries for this issue. Research shows schools are the most common location for bullying, which significantly affects children's physical and psychological development. Dr. Thaninthorn Wetchaphianan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, defines bullying as intentional behavior designed to make others feel embarrassed, hurt, or distressed, with the perpetrator experiencing satisfaction from the act. Such behavior often stems from mental instability, inferiority complexes, family problems, environmental factors, emotional skill deficits, and previous victimization.
Bullying is categorized into four main types: physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying. All forms impact children across all age groups, particularly during critical developmental periods. While bullying may seem minor to adults, it can cause lasting psychological wounds manifested through behavioral changes such as school avoidance, depression, and unhappiness. Parents and guardians are encouraged to maintain regular conversations with children to create a safe environment for disclosure and to intervene when warning signs appear.
Dr. Akhorn Chaiweerawattana, Director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, explains that bullying occurs at all ages with different characteristics. Younger children experience physical bullying, from mild forms like teasing to severe ones like assault. Preschoolers often face verbal bullying involving mockery of parents' names, appearance, or skin color. Teenagers, during their identity-formation stage, commonly encounter bullying related to personality, social status, values, and possessions, as well as social exclusion and rumor-spreading. Cyberbullying among teenagers is particularly concerning, involving false information dissemination, unauthorized image or video sharing, and crude online comments, which may violate personal data protection laws.
Parents must give special attention to children's online activities, as these problems affect everyone, not just children. All individuals have the right to be protected from bullying, and society must take this issue seriously to safeguard children's physical and mental health.
