Buriram: A Mathayom 1 student was violently attacked and coerced into kneeling by dozens of peers and seniors on the grounds of a school in Lahansai District, Buriram Province. The alarming incident took place in the school bathroom, where approximately 10 girls assaulted a 13-year-old student, identified as A, on February 10.
According to Thai News Agency, the parents of the assaulted student were deeply disturbed by what transpired and subsequently filed a complaint at the Lahan Sai Police Station. They demanded stricter measures from the school to ensure student safety, citing the incident as excessive. The video evidence reportedly shows the students also smoking e-cigarettes during the assault.
The victim, Miss A, recounted that the incident happened at around 9:00 a.m. on the day in question. She was called by her classmates to join them in the classroom, where the confrontation began. She was slapped, dragged, and further assaulted in the bathroom by her peers, who falsely accused her of gossiping about them. Her ordeal lasted about an hour until a senior intervened, threatening to inform a teacher, which prompted the group to disperse.
Pol. Col. Manaswut Banyong, Superintendent of Lahan Sai Police Station, along with local officials and school staff, inspected the scene of the incident. They found that the attack stemmed from a misunderstanding about alleged gossiping by the victim, which led to physical abuse and forced apology.
The parents of both the victim and the perpetrators met at the school in the presence of police and teachers. Apologies were exchanged, and the victim's parents decided to forgive the offenders. However, the school and legal authorities were left to handle the repercussions of the assault.
A guardian of one of the students involved expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging the wrongdoing and offering an initial apology. Discussions about compensation and school-imposed consequences are ongoing.
The father of the victim expressed his forgiveness, understanding that the attackers were minors. He requested that the parents monitor their children closely to prevent future incidents. Although he offered financial compensation, legal proceedings were still necessary due to the nature of the assault. He also urged the school to improve security measures, including installing CCTV cameras to prevent similar occurrences.
Mr. Amnat Silpaka, a teacher involved in student affairs, stated that the school is taking the matter seriously. They plan to implement stricter measures and ensure closer supervision of students to prevent future incidents. The students responsible will face disciplinary action in accordance with school regulations, while the legal case remains in the hands of the authorities.