Sexiest uniform

Sexy school or university uniforms could lead to social problems such as rape or sex attacks, warns a Phuket college director.

Thai university uniforms have been voted the sexiest uniform in the world by Japanese internet surfers in a poll.

The tight white short-sleeved blouse and short skirts worn by some Thai students were voted the best in an online survey.

But the director of Phuket Vocational College, Manit Uksornkool, says it is more of a problem in the big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai than in Phuket.

However, he is worried that sexy uniforms could lead to sexual assault or rape, and also says uniforms that are too tight could cause respiratory problems.

Mr Manit thinks the colleges and universities should have rules to control the look of uniforms as they do in some countries which insist skirts reach girls’ knees.

He says the problem involves only a tiny group in the big cities who are influenced by fashion trends, their friends or TV and movie stars.

Some educational institutes have been accused of making their uniforms "flashy" to attract more students.

Sexy uniforms are a continual topic of discussion among teachers and state agencies.

The Deputy Minister of the Education Ministry, Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, said universities or business colleges should enforce school laws to clamp down on revealing outfits.

When asked about the problem in Phuket, most teachers blamed it on girls copying their friends. They say students are afraid to be different so they try to be the same as everyone else.

A strong influence is the revealing fashion of uniforms worn by TV or movie stars who act as a students.

A few teachers allow students to wear anything they want because this freedom makes students enjoy studying.

"If students feel free, they will be happy to learn. Too strict rules might cause them to avoid studying," said a Phuket business teacher.

Some say the sexy uniforms appeal because girls like to show themselves off as attractive to other people and the tight outfits do not look like a uniform.

A 30-year-old Patong architect said students who are wearing improper uniforms should be banned from class or exams.

"Their uniforms look like bar singer dress. They look like they are going to a bar not to school."

A survey of Phuket between girls between 18 and 20 agreed with the architect’s comments and said students who wear too fitting uniforms were showing themselves off.

Some students said that uniforms affected the image of the university or college so the students should remain in appropriate uniforms and a proper suit was more suitable.

Although boys like to see sexy girls, not all agree with revealing uniforms.

"Okay, I like to see girls in sexy uniforms hanging around university but I think a proper suit is much better, not too tight or too short," said a 20-year-old male university student.

Shops that sell uniforms said that although not many bigger sizes such as XL, L, M or S size were sold, various small sizes from SS, 3S, 4S or 5S were popular.

But they agreed that most girls buy their proper shirt size, and that not many selected ones smaller than their figures.

Although girls bought different skirt designs, some later modify them to make them shorter.