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🇹🇭 Thailand /Culture & Society

Student reports two years of school bullying and extortion in Khon Kaen

From Bangkok Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A student in Khon Kaen, Thailand, reported enduring two years of bullying, extortion, and assault by fellow students.
  • The student's parents reported the abuse to police, but the school sought mediation, prompting the family to seek media assistance.
  • The case gained public attention, leading the school director to state an investigation committee was formed, apologies were made, and disciplinary measures were imposed.

A student in Khon Kaen, Thailand, endured two years of relentless bullying, extortion, and assault by peers, fearing for his safety. The student reported being threatened with violence, dragged into a school toilet, and burned with cigarettes if he refused to pay money.

The student said he had been bullied, threatened, extorted and assaulted by fellow students since Mathayom 4 (Grade 10).

— StudentDescribing the duration and nature of the abuse.

His parents, both doctors, were unaware of the severity of the situation until their son confided in them. After reporting the abuse to the police, the family claims the school intervened, seeking mediation and urging them not to pursue legal action. Fearing for their son's continued safety, the parents turned to the media.

He said he was threatened with violence if he refused to hand over money. He had been dragged into a school toilet and assaulted, and that cigarettes had been used to burn him.

— StudentDetailing specific acts of violence and extortion.

The case escalated after online footage surfaced, showing threats, extortion, and violence within the school premises. This sparked widespread criticism, especially given the institution's reputation as long-established and highly competitive. The school's director, Boonlue Thong-on, stated the incidents occurred at the beginning of the previous term. He confirmed a committee investigated, involving students, parents, and police. Both sides reportedly apologized and reached a mutual understanding, while legal proceedings would continue as per the law. Disciplinary actions were taken, and monitoring was enhanced to prevent recurrence. Teachers and specialists were assigned to support the student's well-being.

The school subsequently sought mediation and asked them not to pursue the matter.

— FamilyRecounting the school's initial response to the reported abuse.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Prani Paveenchana emphasized that bullying is a form of violence with serious psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and self-harm. She noted that bullying extends beyond physical attacks to include verbal abuse, social exclusion, and cyberbullying, which can be particularly inescapable due to the rapid spread of content online.

The case drew wider public attention after footage showing threats, extortion and violence inside the school circulated online.

— Bangkok PostExplaining how the incident gained public notice.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Bangkok Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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