Teacher Punishes 5-Year-Old by Making Him Stand Outside Classroom
A kindergarten teacher in Pathum Thani punished a 5-year-old by making him remove his uniform and stand before classmates for incomplete coloring work, traumatizing the boy and prompting his parents to file a police report after the school
At 10:30 a.m. on September 4, 2025, parents of a 5-year-old boy filed a complaint with Paveena Hongsukul, chairman of the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women in Pathum Thani province, alleging that their son was punished by his kindergarten teacher for incomplete coloring work. The punishment involved making the child remove his uniform and stand in front of the classroom, causing him severe embarrassment, anxiety, and depression. The boy returned home refusing to eat or sleep, becoming fearful and refusing to attend school. When the parents informed the school, the teacher faced no consequences, leading them to file a police report at Ratsadornburana Police Station and seek the foundation's intervention.
According to the mother, on August 27, 2025, the grandmother noticed the boy's school uniform was inside out and learned from him that the teacher had punished him for not finishing his coloring assignment. The child was deeply ashamed, cried, and showed signs of depression, loss of appetite, and insomnia. He told his family the teacher was mean and cruel. On August 29, the mother messaged the classroom chat group asking about the incident. The teacher called privately to admit her actions, claiming the boy was stubborn and that she had punished him only inside the classroom to avoid physical punishment. When the teacher and class supervisor later requested the mother delete the message from the group chat, she refused, wanting to preserve evidence for legal proceedings.
On August 30, the family filed a police report before meeting with school administration. On August 31, they met with the vice principal, who stated that only a warning could be issued and offered to transfer the child to another classroom instead. The family refused, concerned the teacher would remain in her position. When they requested to meet the teacher directly, the vice principal declined, citing a desire to reduce conflict.
Paveena Hongsukul expressed distress over the incident, noting that teachers of young children should use psychology-based teaching methods appropriate for 5-year-olds, using gentle discipline that builds love for teachers, learning, work, and friends—so children want to attend school. She pledged to coordinate with city officials to establish a disciplinary committee against the teacher, follow up on the police case, and prepare the child for psychological evaluation at Police Hospital. If the family wishes to transfer schools, the foundation will help identify a new one.
