Teacher Accused Of Brutal Beatings Over Homework
A mathematics teacher in Chachoengsao province is under investigation after beating elementary students with a padded stick for incomplete homework, leaving some with severe bruises and psychological trauma. Parents filed police reports and
On July 12, parents lodged complaints that their children, students in grades 4, 5, and 6 at a school in Laem Sing District, Chachoengsao, were subjected to excessive punishment by a mathematics teacher for failing to submit homework or completing assignments incorrectly. The teacher used a modified durian stick with rubber padding to strike students' buttocks, with incidents ranging from 16 to 50 hits, causing bruising so severe that children could not lie down.
One guardian revealed that two grandsons were severely beaten—fourth-grader Dia received 16 blows, while fifth-grader Thai endured 50 strikes for not turning in work, leaving him psychologically distressed and reluctant to attend school. Multiple other students reported similar treatment.
Parents filed a police report at Laem Sing Station on July 10 and obtained medical referrals to document injuries at Laem Sing Hospital. School principal Saovahnee Boonthaikunanon visited the guardians to apologize. Fifth-grader Thai confirmed receiving 50 blows, and that 13 other classmates each received 16 strikes in previous incidents. The teacher had previously administered approximately 20 punishment sessions, with varying intensities. The teacher reportedly warned students not to cry or dodge, threatening additional strikes for disobedience.
Myanmarese migrant worker Taan, mother of 12-year-old fifth-grader Tawan, wept as she explained her child was beaten starting July 8, leaving him with bruises. Fear of her status as a foreigner prevented her from reporting immediately. When the teacher, accompanied by police, visited their home on July 11 to apologize, he made no offer of medical assistance or compensation. She plans to withdraw her son on July 13.
Principal Saovahnee stated she learned of the incidents on July 9 and initially summoned students and some guardians for clarification. She instructed the mathematics teacher to submit a behavioral incident report to the District Education Office for formal investigation. She characterized her visit to the guardians at their lodging as an apology and explanation, denying any intent to intimidate. Regarding the private visit to the migrant worker family, she explained the teacher sought to apologize separately because that child sustained more severe injuries, without coercive intent. The school has scheduled July 13 as a meeting date with all affected parents' guardians to seek collaborative solutions.
