#Schoolsafety

As Thailand grapples with one of its hottest years on record, new research and expert guidance underscore the life-threatening dangers of exercising or playing sports in extreme heat—a warning that comes as the country continues to experience lingering heatwaves and high humidity. Health professionals are urging community members, particularly athletes, students, and outdoor workers, to take heightened precautions after scientists warn that the body’s ability to safely cool itself becomes severely compromised in such conditions (ABC News).

Thailand is experiencing record heat and high humidity, raising the risk of dangerous heat illness for anyone outdoors. Health professionals warn that exercising, sports, and outdoor work during extreme heat can overwhelm the body’s cooling system, especially in sticky humidity. Local officials stress heightened precautions as heatwaves persist across many regions.

The issue hits Thai communities hard. In April, temperatures in parts of the country climbed into the mid-40s Celsius, one of the region’s hottest episodes in years. Public health advisories from the Thai Meteorological Department urge residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat and to seek shade and hydration. These warnings align with broader patterns of rising heat in Southeast Asia, shaping everyday life in Bangkok, the North, and the Northeast.

The harsh truth in parenting is rarely about the child who is bullied; it can be the child who bullies. A recent Times feature, The last parenting taboo: admitting your child is the bully, uses personal stories, research, and insights from anti-bullying specialists to urge families and schools to confront this uncomfortable reality with honesty and practical steps.

In Thailand, the challenge carries a distinct cultural weight. Thai families often value harmony and protecting family dignity, which can make acknowledging harmful behavior feel like a personal failure. Yet open, constructive conversations about bullying remain essential for safeguarding children and communities.

The uncomfortable reality that sometimes a parent must face is not that their child is being bullied, but that their child is the bully. A recent article in The Times, “The last parenting taboo: admitting your child is the bully,” illuminates this often unspoken aspect of parenting, drawing on personal accounts, research studies, and insights from leading anti-bullying experts to challenge families and educators to confront the issue with honesty and practical strategies (The Times).

A recent article published on May 15, 2025, by the Times of India (“10 phrases that will help a kid stand up for themselves against bullies”) is causing a stir in education and parenting circles throughout Asia, including Thailand. The article highlights practical, research-backed language that children can use to assertively defend themselves when faced with bullying—a critical issue in Thai schools and society. Experts believe adopting these concise, respectful phrases could equip Thai youth with vital confidence-building tools, potentially improving school climate and wellbeing for thousands across the Kingdom.

A recent May 15, 2025 piece from a leading Indian daily highlighted ten phrases that empower kids to defend themselves calmly and non-violently. The report is attracting attention in Asia, including Thailand, for offering research-backed language children can use to de-escalate bullying and seek help when needed.

Bullying remains a challenge in Thai schools, as it does globally. Data from Thailand’s health and education authorities indicate that a significant portion of secondary students experience some form of bullying, whether verbal, physical, or social exclusion. The emotional impact can be lasting, affecting mental health, academics, and self-worth. In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education emphasize the need for proactive strategies that combine communication skills with clear reporting paths. The latest study offers practical verbals that children can deploy to deflect harm, de-escalate tension, and escalate concerns to trusted adults.