Student Perspectives on the Reasons for Physical Violence in a Thai Vocational College: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Physical violence in Bangkok schools has been the subject of considerable public concern in recent years and yet relatively little is known about the nature of violence perpetrated by vocational college students. This study sought to understand the reasons for such violence through a series of semi-structured interviews with 32 male students. The analysis identified revenge from previous fights as a key motivation for violence. Students described a range of different responses to threats of violence, including renting safe accommodation and concealing weapons. These findings are discussed in relation to how an understanding of cross-cultural risk factors for violence is important for the development of effective prevention strategies.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nualnong Wongtongkam

NUALNONG WONGTONGKAM is a Lecturer in Paramedic Discipline, School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Australia. Her major research interests address risk factors of youth violence in developing countries and implementing interventions to reduce aggressive behaviors.

Paul R. Ward

PAUL R. WARD is Professor and Head of the Discipline of Public Health at Flinders University, Australia. Paul is a social scientist with a background in medical sociology, geography, and health services research. Paul’s main research interests are around sociospatial inequalities and inequities in health, medicine usage, and the provision of health and social care. Paul also has a particular interest in research around lay and professional perceptions, knowledge and understandings of health, healthcare, medicines, risk, and trust.

Andrew Day

ANDREW DAY is Professor in the School of Psychology at Deakin University. As a clinical and forensic psychologist, he is interested in research and practice in the area of offender rehabilitation. Before joining academia he was employed as a clinical psychologist in South Australia and the United Kingdom, having gained his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Birmingham and his Masters in Applied Criminological Psychology from the University of London.

Anthony H. Winefield

ANTHONY H. WINEFIELD is Foundation Professor of psychology at the University of South Australia and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Adelaide. He obtained his B.A. (Honours) and Ph.D. degrees at University College London before moving to Australia. His research interests include animal learning, learned helplessness, the psychology of unemployment, and occupational stress. He has presented invited keynote addresses at major international conferences, such as the International Congress of Psychology (Stockholm, 2000) and the International Congress on Occupational Health (Milan, 2006). His publications include several books and book chapters as well as more than 190 refereed journal articles.