Udon Thani reveals alarming statistics with the highest teenage pregnancy rate; astonishingly, the youngest mother was 9 years old who intended to become pregnant to bind her 13-year-old boyfriend. Experts advise that pregnancy prevention begins with knowledge and awareness of contraception methods and risks related to pregnancy.
On 24 September 2026, following the incident where a fourth-year female student miscarried in her dormitory bathroom and carried her baby's body on a motorcycle to a temple to ask monks for a cremation ceremony—an event that occurred on the evening of 13 September 2026 and became national news sparking social debate—Udon Thani Rajabhat University invited speakers from the 8th Health Region Center to conduct training to increase students' knowledge and understanding.
At 1:00 p.m. yesterday (23 September 2026), in the Jaturawit meeting room, 3rd floor, SCB 1 Building, Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University (Samphrao Center), Assistant Professor Theerathawat Singsiri, Dean of the Faculty of Science, presided over the opening of the Safe Love Smart Life workshop. The program aimed to develop life skills to prevent teenage pregnancy among science students and build their resilience to manage situations, especially knowledge about preventing teenage pregnancy. Mr. Pakpoom Chaengphonak, Dean of the Faculty of Science, led 350 first-year science students to participate in the training.
The training included reporting on the teenage pregnancy situation in Udon Thani province, youth clinic health services, and the RSA network. Speakers included Ms. Sukanya Kanawapi from the 8th Health Region Center in Udon Thani, Ms. Sureeporn Intanop, a professional nurse specializing in adolescent health promotion at the Udon Thani Provincial Health Office, and activities from Up to ME to develop life skills for preventing teenage pregnancy led by Assistant Professors Atchara Jinwong from the Public Health Department and Matneeya Kaikaew from the Psychology Department, Faculty of Education. Student assistants, youth leaders in teenage pregnancy prevention from the Faculty of Public Health, also helped facilitate.
Ms. Sukanya Kanawapi of the 8th Health Region Center in Udon Thani said she has over 10 years of experience monitoring teenage pregnancy situations. She noted that the recent university incident is not isolated to their area; teenage pregnancy occurs worldwide and is a key indicator used by the World Health Organization. In developed countries, there should be no more than 10 teenage mothers per 1,000 girls, but in Thailand, the rate is 21 per 1,000 annually. Pregnancy arises from multiple causes.
"Previously, Udon Thani had the youngest pregnant girl aged 9, while the boy was 13 years old. The girl intentionally or willingly became pregnant to tie her boyfriend. Although from 2023 to 2026, the number of teenage mothers aged 10-14 giving birth in Udon Thani has declined—from 20 cases in 2023 to 6 cases in 2026, about 20 percent of teenage mothers—common questions at the counseling center often repeat. Children are less worried about becoming pregnant but more concerned about parents discovering their relationship. We are ready to listen and help find the best solutions. I want to emphasize that our bodies are valuable and deserve care and respect. Sexual activity carries risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. If there are problems, youth can always seek consultation."
Pregnancy prevention starts with knowledge and careful decision-making. Many students seek counseling for abortion because of failed or no contraception. Reasons for not using contraception include: 1) 55.3% had unplanned sexual encounters due to situational factors such as cold weather, rain, camping, or festivals making it easy to go out, e.g., about nine months after the annual Thung Sri Muang fair, births increase; 20.5% had sex while intoxicated. 2) Regarding pregnancy decisions, 64.5% were unintentional pregnancies, 35.6% intentional; 28.1% dropped out or paused schooling, 27.3% continued in the same school but some later left, and 20% entered non-formal education.
Teen pregnancy or being a teenage mother impacts family life—stress, changed family relationships, financial burdens, premature parenting roles, and risks to family stability—as well as societal effects such as reduced educational and employment opportunities, lower future income, discrimination, and social problems. The 8th Health Region Center in Udon Thani offers counseling both directly and online, ensuring confidentiality. Legal abortion must be performed by a doctor within 12 weeks of pregnancy; beyond that is illegal but exceptions exist, such as doctor's opinion or pregnancy resulting from abuse.