Naked beach hazing photo goes viral, university apologizes

Thai social networks are full of discussion about a controversial photo purportedly showing a group of male university freshmen standing naked on a beach with their dongles only covered by their hands. The photo was snapped during a hazing session supervised by senior students.

A woman, believed to be one of the seniors, was also seen walking by the group of male students, seemingly oblivious to their plight.

Rangsit University, where the students are currently enrolled, issued an apology acknowledging that the students who appeared in the photo study at its Faculty of Engineering.

The statement says the students organized the trip to the sea on their own , and the university was not involved in any way.

The photo appears to be a reminder that the rituals of hazing (rub nong), in which senior students force freshmen into a series of humiliating activities, are still widely practiced despite campaigns against the culture.

Rub nong trips outside Bangkok are common for many university students. There have been constant complaints of sexual harassment, forced alcohol consumption, and excessive violence during some of these trips. Injuries or even deaths in rub nong trips have been previously reported by Thai media.

Supporters of rub nong culture claim that it reinforces the principles of ′SOTUS′ – a short term for seniorty, obedience, tradition, unity, and spirit – among the students, while civil rights activists argue that it amounts to dictatorship and inhumane treatment of younger students in universities, Khaosod reported.