In a remarkable display of community engagement and parental dedication, Brighton College Bangkok's parent association, Friends of Brighton, successfully organised and executed a groundbreaking seminar that brought together nearly 100 parents from across Bangkok's international school community. The three-hour workshop, titled "Growing Together: Supporting Your Child Through Stress, Bullying, and Social Pressures," featured renowned psychological criminologist Dr. Trynh Phoraksa and was conducted at the Brighton College Bangkok Theatre.
A Distinguished Expert Addresses Critical Issues
The seminar featured Dr. Trynh Phoraksa, a leading figure in psychological criminology and criminal behaviour analysis in Thailand. Dr. Phoraksa brings an exceptional combination of academic expertise and real-world experience to his work, making him uniquely qualified to address the complex challenges facing today's youth.
Currently serving as a lecturer in the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology at Mahidol University, Dr. Phoraksa teaches criminology with a particular emphasis on criminal psychology and the behavioural patterns that lead to criminal acts. His academic credentials include a master's degree in criminology and criminal justice from England and a doctorate in the field, but his expertise extends far beyond the classroom.
Dr. Phoraksa's professional background includes seven years of experience as a police officer, work with Interpol, and a former role as Police Attache Assistant at the Italian Embassy in Thailand. This diverse background has shaped his understanding of behavioural analysis, body language interpretation, and the psychological factors that influence both criminal and everyday human behaviour.
His reputation in the field has made him a sought-after consultant. He currently serves as a consultant for Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in high-profile criminal cases, and his expertise has been sought internationally. Beyond his criminal justice work, Dr. Phoraksa has developed significant expertise in understanding child and adolescent behaviour, making him an ideal speaker for parents navigating the challenges of raising children in today's complex social environment.
Friends of Brighton: Building Community Through Education
The success of this seminar stands as a testament to the dedication and organisational capabilities of Friends of Brighton, the parent association at Brighton College Bangkok. Recognising the universal challenges faced by parents in Bangkok's diverse international school community, the association took the initiative to create an event that would benefit not only Brighton families but the broader educational community.
The decision to conduct the seminar entirely in Thai was strategic, ensuring accessibility for Thai-speaking parents across Bangkok and enabling deeper, more nuanced discussions about sensitive topics affecting their children. This thoughtful approach helped attract a diverse audience representing various international schools throughout the city.
A Timely Topic for Modern Parents
The seminar addressed three interconnected challenges that parents frequently encounter: stress, bullying, and social pressures. These issues have become increasingly complex in an era of digital connectivity, social media, and evolving peer dynamics.
Stress among children and adolescents manifests in numerous ways, from academic pressure to family changes and exposure to concerning world events. Parents attending the seminar gained insights into recognising stress signals in their children and understanding the multifaceted sources of pressure young people face today.
The bullying discussion was particularly relevant, as research continues to reveal the profound and lasting impacts of bullying on young people's mental health, academic performance, and social development. Dr. Phoraksa's background in behavioral analysis provided parents with tools to recognise both obvious and subtle signs that a child might be experiencing or perpetrating bullying behavior.
Social pressures, including the influence of peers, social media dynamics, and the challenge of identity formation in a multicultural environment, rounded out the discussion. These topics resonate deeply with parents in Bangkok's international school community, where children often navigate multiple cultural expectations and social contexts.
An Unprecedented Turnout
The attendance of nearly 100 parents from various international schools across Bangkok exceeded expectations and demonstrated the hunger for expert guidance on these critical parenting challenges. The cross-school participation created a unique opportunity for parents to connect with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community that extended beyond individual school boundaries.
The diverse attendance also reflected the universal nature of the concerns addressed. Whether parents came from British curriculum schools, American programmes, or other international systems, the fundamental challenges of supporting children through stress, bullying, and social pressures remained consistent.
Practical Takeaways and Community Impact
The three-hour format allowed for in-depth exploration of each topic, moving beyond surface-level discussion to provide parents with practical strategies and deeper understanding. Dr. Phoraksa's unique perspective, combining psychological insight with behavioral analysis expertise, offered parents new frameworks for understanding their children's experiences and responses to challenging situations.
Attendees left equipped not only with knowledge but with practical tools they could implement immediately in their parenting approach. The seminar emphasised early recognition of warning signs, effective communication strategies, and the importance of creating supportive home environments where children feel safe discussing difficult topics.
Looking Forward
The overwhelming success of "Growing Together" has set a new standard for community-driven educational programming in Bangkok's international school landscape. Friends of Brighton's initiative demonstrates how parent associations can serve as catalysts for meaningful community engagement and education that extends well beyond their own school walls.
As Bangkok's international school community continues to grow and evolve, events like this seminar play a crucial role in supporting parents as they navigate the complex landscape of modern child-rearing. Friends of Brighton have shown that when schools, parents, and experts come together with a shared commitment to child wellbeing, the entire community benefits.
The success of this inaugural event suggests that this may be just the beginning of a broader conversation about how Bangkok's international school community can come together to support families in addressing the challenges and opportunities of raising globally-minded, emotionally resilient children in our rapidly changing world.