Blog · Schools
Does Thailand Ban Phones in Schools? What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Partly. There is no national ban, but since 18 May 2026 Bangkok's 437 city-run schools bar students from using phones in class under the 'Phone Off, Learning On' policy. Schools under the national basic education office still set their own rules.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's 'Phone Off, Learning On' policy began on 18 May 2026 in all 437 BMA schools. Students leave their phones with the teacher during lessons. Teachers may allow devices in subjects that need them. Lunch breaks and shared spaces are digital-free zones. Parents contact the school by Line or phone in emergencies.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced the policy on 13 March 2026 after a trial in 10 BMA schools. On 16 March 2026 the head of the Office of the Basic Education Commission said a classroom phone ban would be raised at an OBEC executive meeting. A national decision had not been confirmed at the time of writing, and OBEC schools have discretion.
In BMA schools, teachers collect phones at the start of lessons and return them at lunch or after school. The policy rests on three aims: purposeful learning, wellbeing and social development, and cyber safety. Parents and teachers in the pilot schools reported high satisfaction. Many schools outside Bangkok already set their own phone rules.
Whatever the rule in Thailand requires, lockable pouches let students keep their own phone, locked, from the first bell to the last, so primary and secondary schools do not collect, store or answer for devices. Before The Internet ships lockable phone pouches and unlocking bases worldwide, including to Thailand, and can print the school's name or crest on them. Schools buy them outright: one price, no subscription, lease or per-student annual licence. Send us your student numbers and any written quote you already have, and we will beat it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a national school phone ban in Thailand?
No. The ban applies to Bangkok's 437 BMA schools. OBEC said in March 2026 it would discuss a classroom ban, but schools under it still set their own rules.
Does Bangkok's rule cover lunch?
Yes in part. Lunch breaks and shared spaces are designated digital-free zones under the policy.
Can students use phones for learning?
Yes. Teachers may allow devices in lessons where digital tools are needed.
Related reading
School phone bans by country · Phone-free schools toolkit · How to roll out phone pouches in a school
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
Planning a phone-free school?
Buying for next term or next year? Send your student numbers and target start date. A person replies within 24 hours with a real figure for your budget, and we ship worldwide.
Name
Work email
Phone
Event date
Headcount
Not sure what you need yet?
Keep reading
Trade shows and launches
Phone-free concerts and festivals