As a kid, most slaps came from my Mom since she was the one staying at home to look after us. I can't really recall my Dad ever hitting me, but even at a very young ages my instinct told be it would be best for me not to test him. Just a stare from him was enough to ensure all my veggies got eaten.
In school, caning only started at around 10 years of age and was of course reserved for boys only. That said, caning was not an everyday occurrence until high school. I guess it simply wasn't needed because kids generally behaved themselves and respected their teachers and etc.
In high school (boarding school) things changed dramatically, and during my final two years of school, I think it would be safe to say that most of the kids, including myself, go at least two strokes on any given day. Teachers would set pass marks for tests, usually 80%, and you would get one stroke for each 10% below that pass mark. Getting caught smoking would secure six of the best, as would any other "serious" offence.
To be honest, I think discipline is a good thing, and despite the hundreds of lashes I clocked up during high school, I'm still here and it's not even something I think about. However, I do believe there are better ways to discipline kids should it be necessary.
I frequently hear adults complaining about a lack of discipline among school kids, but that lack of discipline starts at home, and to make matters worse, parents are opposed to their kids being disciplined by teachers. These days parents tend to baby their kids, and this is especially noticeable in Thailand with boys.
Young girls tend to be disciplined far more than boys here, to the point where it is nearly a joke. Having said all that, the kids at the school my daughters attend always appear to be well behave and respectful towards teachers, perhaps even too respectful. As we all know, it is frowned upon in Thailand if kids question teachers since it is seen as disrespect, but in my opinion this is unhealthy.
I can't talk for all schools in Thailand, but there are certainly no kids running around with phones and etc. in the school my kids go to. Of course that might not be the case in high schools here. For example, I've seen students from Hua-Hin Commercial College sitting smoking and drinking beer at 8 in the morning at a Mom and Pop shop outside the school gates. Now, that would probably have got you expelled from school back in day.
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
