Probe begins of claim lecturer hit student whistleblower

By THE NATION

 

Panida Yotpanya

 

THE OFFICE of Higher Education Commission (Ohec) is investigating a report that a university lecturer hit her student for speaking up about alleged corruption at a government agency.
 

“I have instructed the Ohec secretary-general to launch the probe,” Deputy Education Minister Udom Kachintorn said yesterday, adding that he was waiting to hear its results. 

 

“The probe will determine as to whether a physical assault took place,” Udom said. 

 

The accused lecturer is the head of a department at Maha Sarakham University, where Panida Yotpanya is studying. While a trainee at the Khon Kaen Protection Centre for the Destitute, Panida noticed alleged irregularities and alerted first her school and then authorities. 

 

Although Panida has now won widespread praise, she initially faced condemnation and a rebuke from her lecturer. The lecturer, according to Panida, hit her twice. 

 

Udom said Panida’s behaviour should have been encouraged, not discouraged. 

 

“We should raise a question as to why the lecturer treated her that way,” the deputy education minister said. 

 

Maha Sarakham University president Sampan Rittidech said his institute had been conducting an investigation into the case. 

 

“I believe the probe will conclude next week,” he said. 

 

Sampan said his university would honour Panida with an award later this month in recognition of her courage standing up against wrongdoing. 

 

Asked about lingering concerns that the accused lecturer’s anger might affect Panida’s chances of getting a degree within the normal timeline, Sampan said the university would support Panida.

 

A complaint filed by Panida nudged the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) into investigating various protection centres for the destitute across the country.

 

The ongoing probe has suggested officials in as many as 24 provinces might have engaged in wrongdoing. 

 

PACC assistant secretary-general Pol Lt-Colonel Wannop Somchintanakul earlier this week said the provinces were Yala, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Chumphon, Buri Ram, Surin, Angthong, Phitsanulok, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Saraburi, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya, Nan, Krabi, Trat, Trang, Sa Kaew and Roi Et. 

 

 Social Development and Human Security Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat said it should be clear by the end of this month which officials should be punished. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30340345

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-07

Typical behaviour of the Thai high and mighty; slap down anyone who dares to challenge their superiority.    In today's Thailand this Young Lady is a Hero and we can only hope many more follow her example of honesty and bravery.

If this assault did indeed take place, and I can't see why Panida would invent it, the senior teacher should be dismissed immediately; named and shamed.  It would serve as a warning that even students have rights.

Doesn't add up.... why a lecturer at a university cares so much about a student's piping up about an organization separate from the university & not even in the same province to the point of wanting to hit her for exposing it. There's something else going on. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“We should raise a question as to why the lecturer treated her that way,” the deputy education minister said

Should raise more than a question. 

 

It's the hypocrisy here (and anywhere else too) that will drive you mad. You have to learn to block it out. I've heard statements like;

 

"I don't drink alcohol because I'm a good girl"

 

"I don't fish because I'm Buddhist and we can't harm animals" (oh, but he eats fish)

 

Anyone in any walk of life who preaches to me, who tells me they're a good person or who judges people for doing non-harmful things that are none of their business, instantly just get ignored by me. 

 

Good people do good things. They don't want anything other than that nice feeling you get when you help someone or do a good deed. Bad people put up a veneer and hide behind it. When they get called out, they double down. 

 

Bad people are just bad. Bad people who delude themselves into thinking they're good are just sinister. 

Edited March 7, 20188 yr by rkidlad

7 hours ago, mikebell said:

If this assault did indeed take place, and I can't see why Panida would invent it, the senior teacher should be dismissed immediately; named and shamed.  It would serve as a warning that even students have rights.

Absolutely, we know it won't happen but that is exactly what should be done and publicly too. 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

“We should raise a question as to why the lecturer treated her that way,” the deputy education minister said.

The story may have unfolded as such: The truth will out......or will it?

1. Student reports possible rorting scandal to lecturer.

2. Lecturer refers matter to named big nobs in the Social Development and Human Security Department

3. Big knobs tell lecturer to shut her up at all cost. Envelope mentioned.

4. Pressure put on girl to keep quiet.

5. Girl goes to police to report matter. 

repeat steps 2 and 3 replacing "lecturer" with "police".

6. Police ignore girl and wait for special delivery of small brown parcel.

7. Girl gets no response from police so goes to media.

8. Media blows lid on story.

9. Those not included in the distribution list get offended and press for an enquiry.

 

Finally, enquiry concludes too many grey areas and culprits at the top cannot be identified. Scapegoats selected and punished.

Edited March 7, 20188 yr by Cadbury

42 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

The story may have unfolded as such: The truth will out......or will it?

1. Student reports possible rorting scandal to lecturer.

2. Lecturer refers matter to named big nobs in the Social Development and Human Security Department

3. Big knobs tell lecturer to shut her up at all cost. Envelope mentioned.

4. Pressure put on girl to keep quiet.

5. Girl goes to police to report matter. 

repeat steps 2 and 3 replacing "lecturer" with "police".

6. Police ignore girl and wait for special delivery of small brown parcel.

7. Girl gets no response from police so goes to media.

8. Media blows lid on story.

9. Those not included in the distribution list get offended and press for an enquiry.

 

Finally, enquiry concludes too many grey areas and culprits at the top cannot be identified. Scapegoats selected and punished.

 

Wow, how much of your 'list' is based on published information and how much is just your invention.

 

There appears to be a serious case of fraud from what's been published but also seems your imagination is on overdrive. 

 

Let the investigation get to the bottom of the alleged fraud and the allegec punishment by the lady professor.

 

You need a hobby...

4 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Wow, how much of your 'list' is based on published information and how much is just your invention.

 

There appears to be a serious case of fraud from what's been published but also seems your imagination is on overdrive. 

 

Let the investigation get to the bottom of the alleged fraud and the allegec punishment by the lady professor.

 

You need a hobby...

My mind has an imagination that enjoys a bit of exercise. I pity for you that yours is not the same. Some advice. Don't take life too seriously. 

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

The story may have unfolded as such: The truth will out......or will it?

1. Student reports possible rorting scandal to lecturer.

2. Lecturer refers matter to named big nobs in the Social Development and Human Security Department

3. Big knobs tell lecturer to shut her up at all cost. Envelope mentioned.

4. Pressure put on girl to keep quiet.

5. Girl goes to police to report matter. 

repeat steps 2 and 3 replacing "lecturer" with "police".

6. Police ignore girl and wait for special delivery of small brown parcel.

7. Girl gets no response from police so goes to media.

8. Media blows lid on story.

9. Those not included in the distribution list get offended and press for an enquiry.

 

Finally, enquiry concludes too many grey areas and culprits at the top cannot be identified. Scapegoats selected and punished.

11. Bored punter makes up story based on no information whatsoever

20 minutes ago, HooHaa said:

11. Bored punter makes up story based on no information whatsoever

Almost. This bored punter followed the story where the girl claimed that she got no help from the university or the police and so went to the media. My imagination based on Thai corruption and justice history simply filled in the gaps and predicted the usual outcome for a case such as this. 

Bored and unoriginal HooHaa who lacks imagination and humour makes no contribution to the story whatsoever. Instead takes the easy criticism option.

Edited March 7, 20188 yr by Cadbury

Surely for whatever reason the school sat on the information. Now this is publicised and the school looks compromised. This probably made the lecturer angry. Not too much fantasy in that.

According to the girl friend the school was going to be give her a prize as “top student” to shut her up. 

She wouldn’t accept the prize from her prof ( no doubt told to shut her up) and wouldn’t “bow to his toe”. The prof lost it and then struck her. The gf says their all part of the gang. 

Actually their “all part of the gang” explains how she was put in the position ( her assignment from the school) to discover their corruption.