A liberal arts student is the subject of online discussion and debate after he was denied to sit in for the teaching licensure examination because he was wearing women’s clothing.
In a Bangkok Post, Punyaphat Detchabamrung, also known as Tonkhao, posted on Facebook on Saturday, saying that he was denied from completing the teaching license exam by the chief proctor. The reason given was because he wore the women’s uniform but was listed as a “mister”.
Tonkhao mentions that in the Teachers Council of Thailand regulations, exam takers are only required to dress formally or wear a university uniform, with no mention of dressing according to birth gender.
Tonkhao complained that he was told to stop half an hour after the exam started.
In another post, Tonkhao said that the teachers at the university were aware of the issue and “were supporting him in all ways”. He also received comments of support from many people who read his post.
Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, People’s Party MP, commented saying that the examiner’s action exposed a “deprivation of sexual identity within the government system…It violated people’s rights and hindered the country’s growth.” MP Tunyawaj is the vice-chair of the COmmittee on Children, Youth, Women, Older Persons, Persons with Disability, Ethnic Groups and LGBTIs.
MP Tunyawaj also points out a study by the World Health Organization has declassified transgender as a disorder since 2019, however, “Thai government system still uses gender to force people’s behaviour…this is a contradiction of international standards, and infringement on fundamental human rights”, said the MP.