Protester slammed for dressing as schoolgirl to highlight sexual harassment in Thai schools

2 government MPs have criticised a member of the “Bad Students” protest movement after she dressed as a schoolgirl to highlight sexual harassment in Thai schools. In an online protest, the activist donned a school uniform and held up a sign condemning sexual harassment in the Thai education system.

Nation Thailand reports that while her actions have generally been supported by netizens, some pro-establishment figures have hit out at the protester. Pareena Kraikupt from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party has filed a police report about the incident, saying the activist is not a school student, but a model and social media influencer. Her complaint is echoed by MP Sira Jenjaka, who says the protester’s decision to wear a school uniform will bring Thai schools into disrepute.

His accusation comes as sexual harassment figures from the Office of Basic Education Commission are circulating online, showing hundreds of sexual harassment incidents recorded between 2013 – 2017. Thee Phawangkhanan from OBEC says that in January alone, there were over 700 cases of sexual harassment, adding that many other victims remain too scared to come forward.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand