There’s Just Something About a Girl in Uniform

There’s just no doubt about it. Thais just love uniforms! Take an ordinary guy or gal, put them in a pair of starched khakis or dress whites (preferably with knife edged creases sharp enough to slice tomatoes), Suddenly Somsak or Somporn is magically transformed into a commanding figure of authority. Well that’s the theory anyway. Personally though, when you can’t tell the difference between a member of an elite fighting force, and a parking lot attendant, a lot of the mystique of a uniform is lost.

In Thailand, every student, from kindergarten right through university wears a uniform. They may vary in color and cut, but essentially they all serve to instill a sense of unity and school spirit. This is our school! These are our traditions! We stand together as one! They certainly are a great equalizer. Outside of school affluent kids may be wearing designer clothes that cost a small fortune, while the less fortunate wear whatever their folks can pick up in the market for a few hundred baht (or less). When they are all wearing the same uniform, class distinctions are, at least superficially, are rendered moot. I certainly have no idea whether the parents of a particular student are affluent, or just getting by. Well, perhaps I have a pretty good guess, according to how stained a students shirts or blouses are. Kids may start out with them being white, but by the end of the term they are often looking a little worse for wear.

To be precise, I shouldn’t refer to a student’s uniform, but rather uniforms, as there are four different ones that are worn in the course of the week.

Let me give you a little fashion show of what the well dressed student is wearing at my school.

Let’s start with Anuban or kindergarten. This girl is wearing her everyday uniform, which consists of a blue skirt, white blouse with her school number and name embroidered on it. Kindergarten students also wear a blue tabard, which helps keep their shirts reasonably clean.

These girls are in Prathom or elementary school. For some unknown reason, the “powers that be” have decreed that elementary schoolgirls wear these “sailor suit” ties. All schoolgirls wear white socks and identical black shoes.

These girls are Mathayom students Junior and High School. The girls all sport ties now. Besides the fact that these are my students, I know that they are in Junior High, because of the blue hair ribbon. High School girls in my school wear a white ribbon.

What, you are asking yourself are the boys wearing? The standard uniform for them are shorts and a white shirt… usually in need of being tucked in. Girls cannot show their legs, and must wear blouses that are designed to hide the fact that once past puberty they do indeed have breasts. Boys on the other hand have their hairy legs on display. Quick! Call the feminist fashion police! Not to worry though. Once in college these very same girls will shed these long and baggy garments and trade them in for short tight skirts and tight blouses!

These girls are wearing their gym day uniforms, which consist of striped shirts, athletic pants and sneakers.  In a country where most of the year it is hot and humid, why these are made of polyester, which does not “breathe” is beyond me.

Every Thursday at my school is Scouting Day. Don’t ask me why, since they rarely do anything on that day related to scouting. But it’s a “sacred tradition”! These girls are of course Cub Scouts. The girl on the far right wearing the light blue neckerchief is a class “leader”. Since this is the “cool season” most students wear sweaters, jackets, scarves, gloves, hats and anything else to protect them from the “arctic conditions”. I believe the temperature when I took this picture was at least 75 degrees. Apparently one of these girls was still chilly though.

These are some Prathom level Girl Scouts that absolutely insisted that I take their picture. The green and pink look quite nice in my opinion. I don’t know at what point in their young lives they learn this one pose, but once learned all Thais seem incapable of striking any other pose.

Here are some High School Girl Guides. Note the jazzy military style beret. It’s no surprise that the next logical step would be what you see below.

Yes, there is just something about a girl in uniform! Isn’t she cute? Later she and her friends will go off playing soldier. Well, I should say playing. This particular girl is quite proficient with all manner of weapons. Notice please the airborne insignia above her name. This girl has completed parachute training and has indeed jumped out of airplanes.

Yes even teachers wear uniforms on Scouting Day, and I must say that these two Thai associates of mine look quite fetching! Thank goodness that I am not forced to wear a uniform.

Friday is Lanna Day, and every student from kindergarten through Mathiyam 6 is wearing a special shirt. They actually are quite nice, but once again I am thankful that I don’t have to wear one. For once, “The Farang” gets a break. I wear what I’ve always worn, a freshly pressed pair of dress khakis and a polo shirt… a different color for every day of the week. In case you are dying to know, these are the Thai Colors of The Week: Monday is Yellow, Tuesday is Pink, Wednesday is Green, Thursday is Orange, Friday is Blue, Saturday is Red, and Sunday is Purple. Got it? Bright guy that I am, it only took me a few years to figure it out!

To end this little fashion show, let me share what some of my fellow teachers were wearing last week for our school’s Christmas party. Yes, these are not “uniforms”; they are costumes, but what the hell. I thought you would enjoy them.

Hey, we’re at Hogworts… sort of.