Bangkok, Thailand
CNN
—
It was still early in the morning when the crowd of sleepy students – all in matching uniforms and identical neat hairstyles – lined up for a daily gathering by the flagpole of their Bangkok high school.
Eighth grader Baramee Chaovawanich was among the 3,600 students in attendance as teachers walked through each row, examining every teenager in a monthly spot check of their dress code compliance and appearances.
Then, a teacher pointed at Chaovawanich, who goes by his nickname “Khao Klong” — indicating his hair was too long. Mortified, the boy was forced to step forward and have his head partially shaved in front of the whole school,…
