Trend of Chinese Tourists Wearing School Uniforms During Visits to Thailand

Impact of Thai Romantic Comedy Film 'Cheotsarang' Popularity
Thai Ministry of Education Expresses Concern "It Could Cause Harm"

Recently, among Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, wearing high school uniforms has become a trend, but there are voices locally expressing displeasure about this.

According to foreign media such as the Bangkok Post and Malaysia's The Star on the 17th, Chinese singer and actor Ju Jingyi posted photos wearing a school uniform during her trip to Thailand last month on her social networking service (SNS). Since then, Chinese tourists visiting Thailand have started taking photos in Thai school uniforms, following Ju Jingyi.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The owner of a school uniform shop in Bangkok told the Bangkok Post, "Recently, many Chinese people are renting and wearing school uniforms," adding, "They take photos and post them on SNS." The shop explained that the popularity of the Thai romantic comedy film First Love has further accelerated the trend of Chinese tourists wearing Thai school uniforms.

Tourism authorities and the industry generally welcome this trend, saying it will help the tourism industry. Thanet Phuchawan, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, "The craze for wearing Thai school uniforms will expand the influence of Thai culture and help more Chinese tourists visit Thailand."

However, some express negative views about this trend. In particular, the Basic Education Commission of the Thai Ministry of Education has expressed concerns that wearing school uniforms with the school name printed on them could cause harm to the respective schools.

The Basic Education Commission of the Thai Ministry of Education pointed out, "If you wear a school uniform with the school logo attached and engage in outside activities, the school may raise issues or take legal action."

In this regard, a lawyer in Thailand advised Chinese tourists, "If a person who is not a student wears a school uniform, they may be fined 1,000 baht (about 38,000 won) under the Student Uniform Act, so caution is necessary." He further warned, "Wearing a uniform to imitate a student or unauthorized use of the actual school name in Thailand is illegal."