In Thailand, a university provides a four-year standard higher education. A college is either:
- a specific school for a specific profession such as the Irrigation College, now partially absorbed into Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University; or the Teaching Colleges, nowadays restructured into the Rajabhat University System. There are some technical colleges still standing, but many are already absorbed or restructured because our academic system does not really favor single-discipline schools standing around
- a single school in a university or a specific organizational unit (such as the Mahidol University International College)
- a two-year college (community college system)
- it’s also just how some secondary schools are named, such as Bangkok Christian College (which is a higher secondary school for boys)
In our language, if you are going to take a four-year higher ed program, you always say university not college.
As the rule is blanket, you can ride one maybe in your school uniform but on a Saturday (maybe after you’re done with cram school – some crams ask you to wear your uniform because it’s how they improve their reputation by recording live sessions with students from many good schools). If that happens and the disciplinary officer knows, you’re given a strike.
It is illegal but so far nobody wants to raise an issue with it because it’s a school that has a lot of govt officials, diplomats, expats, and businessmen sending their kids there. No one wants to risk stinking their own reputation by raising an issue.
As for “how”, apparently if someone accidentally snaps a picture of those kids riding things they shouldn’t be, anytime, and a school disciplinary officer sees it, anywhere, he can give out the warning. Has done so a few times actually.
The rationale of the rule is that vehicle operation is something not befitting the image of a student, especially a student at this (supposedly) prestigious school.
Suffice to say the damn rule made me apprehensive of riding in a friend’s car for a while, and of the idea of getting my own license when I became of age.
When I decided to ask the school about the apprppriateness and legality of the rule (as an alumnus), they said “we are disappointed in you. You were a great student. We did not expect you to become someone who tries to force us to change our ways of life.” That said, unless you grow up to become a nationalist or a right-winger, you are a disappointment to them, so maybe even without this vehicle use thing I’m still a disppointment to them anyway.
This story sounds absurd but yes it is supposed to be this absurd.
I still pass by this school many times as it’s on my way to work. I wish I could tell those kids and new parents who might not be aware of “the system” something they should know …
My school strictly prohibits vehicle use, and considers all violations a strong offense that is on a three-strikes out rule.
Yes, it includes e-scooters and swan boats.
Yes, it includes whether you are in uniform or not.
Yes, it includes whether you are in school or not.
Yes, even if you are licensed.
Yes, it is enforceable anywhere.
The rule is obnoxiously blanket.
I’m from Thailand. We have a term called เกมหมา (dog game) which means a shitty game that gets you raging. The list varies from person to person but every list so far includes Dota 2 and League of Legends (which I have personally played). Other honorable mentions include:
- Free Fire
- Fortnite
- PUBG
- Minecraft
- Roblox
- FIFA Online
NO FREE SLOTS IN SUIT INVENTORY