A recent viral article highlighting 47 extreme punishments experienced by children at the hands of their parents is fueling worldwide conversations over appropriate parenting, child welfare, and the thin line between discipline and abuse. Titled “That’s Torture”: 47 Children’s Punishments That Only Showed How Unfit Their Parents Were, the piece has generated an outpouring of personal stories, expert warnings, and demands for greater awareness of children’s rights, including among Thai families and educators.
The article, published on Bored Panda, collected firsthand accounts from young people about punishment methods they deemed abusive or humiliating. Accounts range from being sent outside in freezing weather, to forced prolonged isolation, to various forms of psychological and physical discomfort allegedly intended as discipline. Many commenters described such experiences as emotionally damaging, explicitly calling some punishments “torture.” These stories have drawn sharp reactions on social media from parents, teachers, and child development experts worldwide, shining a spotlight on the risks of harsh discipline tactics and the ongoing struggle to balance authority and empathy in parenting (Bored Panda source).
Child punishment methods are a complex issue deeply shaped by culture, tradition, and shifting social attitudes. In Thailand and many other countries, corporal punishment and emotionally aggressive tactics were historically considered part of “old-fashioned” discipline. However, decades of research have increasingly shown the potential for lasting harm. A 2016 meta-analysis in the journal Pediatrics concluded that physical punishment, spanking, and verbal aggression “are associated with higher risks of mental health problems, anti-social behavior, and impaired cognitive development” (Pediatrics 2016). The World Health Organization and UNICEF echo this, advocating for non-violent discipline in the home and the classroom.
A Thai child psychiatrist speaking to the Bangkok Post explained that, “Strict or humiliating punishments do little to foster discipline and instead teach children to fear authority, sometimes leading to secrecy, anxiety, or even trauma.” A leading child protection official from Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security emphasized that Thailand’s Child Protection Act explicitly prohibits any form of cruel or degrading punishment, but acknowledged that community awareness remains uneven.
These insights come at a time when Thai society is critically reexamining school and household discipline practices. Reports of excessive penalties for minor infractions, such as forced haircuts or public shaming in classrooms, have recently drawn public outcry. Contextualizing the Bored Panda article, a Thai family counselor noted that “parents often justify harsh punishments as ‘for the child’s own good,’ but research shows this undermines trust and emotional safety.”
In fact, recent surveys by the Thai Ministry of Public Health found that nearly one in three children had experienced some form of harsh physical or emotional discipline in the past year, underscoring the pervasiveness of these methods even after the adoption of new legal protections (UNICEF Thailand).
Cultural traditions, including concepts such as “kreng jai” (deference or reluctance to confront elders), may make it challenging for Thai youth to report abusive discipline or for communities to openly discuss parental missteps. Many Thais also recall the proverb “the rod makes a child good” (ไม้เรียวเปลี่ยนเด็กให้ดี), which has been increasingly debated in Thai media as research mounts against corporal punishment.
A global body of evidence now recommends positive discipline strategies, such as time-outs, constructive conversations, and setting predictable consequences—all of which teach self-control without shaming or physically harming the child. According to a UNICEF Thailand education advisor, “Effective discipline is about guidance rather than punishment. Children need to learn boundaries in a supportive and understanding environment.”
Internationally, several governments have moved to explicitly ban physical and degrading punishments—including Sweden, which introduced the world’s first ban in 1979, and Japan, which enacted a similar law in 2020 (BBC News). Thailand’s own child protection law, since 2003, theoretically bans cruelty, but its enforcement depends on local interpretation and resources.
Looking ahead, Thai experts believe change begins with education—both for parents and teachers—on child rights and child development. Community workshops, consultation hotlines, and accessible media campaigns can support adults in learning alternative discipline methods. Schools, meanwhile, can integrate social-emotional learning into curricula, helping students build resilience and empathy and empowering them to speak up when feeling mistreated.
For parents concerned about managing misbehavior, actionable recommendations from Thai psychologists include:
- Discuss rules with children in advance and agree on logical, non-humiliating consequences.
- Focus on correction, not retribution; use discipline as a teaching moment.
- Model calm, respectful conflict resolution at home.
- Reach out for support, such as parenting classes or community health workers, particularly in moments of stress.
As stories like those in the Bored Panda article continue to capture the world’s attention, there’s hope they will inspire a broader reevaluation of discipline—pushing all societies, including Thailand, to ensure every child is raised with dignity, compassion, and respect for their rights.