Freshman year should be a highlight of teenage life but for many first-year students hazing rituals — a “rite of passage” at Thai universities — is a nightmarish experience. Hazing rituals in Thai have been termed rap nong which means “welcoming freshmen event”. While rap nong may sound charming and harmless, the reality is different, despite it being a staple of Thai university life for decades. In a typical rap nong, seniors often yell, coerce and force freshmen to do ridiculous and funny things to show submission and unity. While many events end happily, there have been hazing ceremonies th…