Phuket Court Remands Myanmar Girl, 12, for 30 Days Over School Assault

Phuket's juvenile court has ordered a 12-year-old Myanmar girl held for 30 days pending investigation after she allegedly attacked a 14-year-old Thai girl in a school bathroom in Phuket. According to the Thai victim's complaint, the Myanmar girl led a group that entered the school and assaulted her in the bathroom, striking and kicking her, forcing her head into a sink, and forcing her to bow to their feet. The girl's parents filed a report with police.

On August 10, Cherng Talay Station officers filed charges against the girl in the presence of the Phuket provincial prosecutor, a psychologist, and other parties requested by the girl according to legal procedure. The next day, on August 11, investigators brought her before Phuket's Juvenile and Family Court to determine whether she met the legal definition of a child subject to delinquency proceedings and to verify that the charges and treatment of the girl complied with law.

During the hearing, investigators outlined the reasons, necessity, and evidence for the case, noting that the girl's behavior posed serious risk to others and citing other relevant factors, including that both her parents had been dismissed from their jobs. After review, the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court ordered the girl remanded to the Phuket Child and Youth Protection Institute for 30 days during the investigation.

If the investigation is not completed within that time, investigators may request an extension of no more than 15 days per request, up to two requests, following legal procedure. Once the case is finalized, further legal action will be taken, and the girl will be referred to the Immigration Bureau for processing. However, because the accused is a minor, the case proceedings and reporting must respect her rights and interests according to law.