(Photo by Patipat Janthong)Between 10% and 20% of young Thais aged 15-25 years engage in risky behaviour such as drinking, smoking, unsafe sex and gambling, a university research study has found. Most were secondary school students at 117 schools and junior vocational students at 79 schools, Prof Dr Sawitree Asanangkornchai of Prince of Songkla University said in Bangkok on Friday. Her research team found that drinking was the most common risky behaviour. Factors behind risky behaviour included family problems, poor learning ability, obsession with friends or lovers, poverty, and the quality of schools and teachers. The study also found that young people tended to engage in risky behaviour especially when they had no other activities to do or when their parents or guardians were absent.

Source: Bangkok Post November 18, 2016 13:22 UTC