Speaking at an event held at the Phuket Administrative Litigation Office, Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam said the campaign marked a significant step in protecting the rights of children and youth.
Themed ‘Safe Space School: Stop Bullying, Create Safe Spaces in Schools’, the initiative is part of a broader effort to raise awareness of human rights and freedoms while tackling the persistent issue of bullying – whether physical, verbal or emotional – in educational settings.
Mr Suwit was joined by Wichian Chaisorn, Director of the Phuket Provincial Justice Office, alongside representatives from the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, teachers, human rights speakers and students from across the province, many of whom attended the launch event in large numbers.
“The principles of freedom and human rights are fundamental and must be equally upheld for all, especially children and youth,” Mr Suwit said in his opening remarks.
“When a young person is bullied, teased or subjected to violence, it deeply affects their mental health and can hinder their learning, development and overall growth.”
He said the ‘Safe Space School’ concept aligns with both human rights principles and Phuket’s provincial policies, which seek to build school environments that respect individual dignity, embrace social diversity and foster peaceful coexistence.
The campaign calls on a unified approach, encouraging collaboration between teachers, school administrators, parents, students and relevant agencies to build supportive and respectful learning environments free from discrimination or harm.
Organisers of the event explained that the initiative seeks to act as a local mechanism to safeguard youth rights, paving the way for a more equitable education system and a safer, more inclusive society.
Participants also took part in workshops and discussions aimed at promoting awareness of students’ rights, particularly the right to a safe and nurturing educational space. These sessions were designed to equip both students and educators with the tools to identify, prevent and respond to bullying and rights violations within school communities.
Officials hope the campaign will serve as a model for other provinces across Thailand, ensuring that schools are not only places of academic learning, but also environments where every child is valued, protected and empowered to thrive.