The number of pregnant schoolgirls and university students sharply rose to about 10,000 last year.
In the past, the number had never risen beyond 5,000 in a year.

"We have to prevent such cases otherwise more social problems will arise," Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai said yesterday.

He was speaking at a conference on the enforcement of the Dormitory Act.

Issara said the new law might be drafted to prescribe harsher punishments against offending dormitory operators.

"Student dormitories must not allow boys and girls to share a room. Also, they must not sell alcoholic drinks," he said.