Pupils in Thailand have taken to social media to condemn recent patriotic attempts in which teachers have compelled students to salute the national flag, pray on video, and wear uniforms during online classes.

Some teachers, according to student reports, have required their classmates to stand and salute the national flag at 8:00 a.m. each day before online classes begin. For the record, one teacher requested that students produce photographic documentation of them standing for the national anthem.

“Students should stand up tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. in front of the television at home to pay respect to the national flag, and also snap a picture and send it to me,” said a teacher at a school in Ubon Ratchathani via Line.

 

On June 8, this dialogue was posted on the Bad Students Facebook page, a group of student activists fighting for education reform in Thailand, with the name of the teacher removed. As criticism poured in, the post went viral online, receiving 13k reactions, 23k shares, and 3.5k comments.

One comment said, "Thai instructors strike a new low every day."

“Don't put a stop to it. From kindergarten to university, it should be supported across the country. Patriotism is required of us. Repeat this process until the international media picks up on it. Demonstrate how Thai schooling works. Please don't curse them. One snarky remark said, "Cheer them on."