Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In Uthai Thani province, a private school is facing mounting criticism following its controversial decision to allow a Grade 11 student, who assaulted his maths teacher, to continue his education online instead of expulsion. The incident has stirred significant public debate.

 

The incident occurred on 5 August when a 16-year-old student from Nong Chang district attacked his teacher, Pornthip, following displeasure over receiving 18 out of 20 on a maths exam. In the aftermath, the teacher filed a police report, and initial rumours suggested the student had left the school.

 

However, Somboon Thiprangsi, the school's dean, clarified on Thursday that the student had not been expelled. Instead, he remains enrolled and has transitioned to online learning while a multidisciplinary team evaluates the appropriate timing for his return to school.

 

The decision was framed as an opportunity for the student to reflect and seek guidance, as he had reportedly been well-behaved prior to the incident. His parents have been counselled to have his mental health assessed.

 

Despite the school's intentions, the decision has ignited controversy among alumni and the local community. An alumni group expressed its disapproval via Facebook, arguing the school's response downplays the gravity of the student's actions, which they say undermined the teacher’s dignity and compromised school safety.

 

The alumni’s statement underscored the potential legal repercussions under the Criminal Code, highlighting penalties such as a two-year jail sentence or a fine up to 40,000 baht (approximately 35,000 Thai Baht). They also referenced the National Education Act and Education Ministry regulations, reinforcing the severity of the assault.

 

"This decision disregards the law and the seriousness of the assault," the statement read. "It sends a concerning message that diminishes respect for teachers and compromises the safety of the school environment."

 

As the debate continues, the case has brought attention to how schools manage disciplinary issues and balance second chances with accountability. The broader community remains vigilant, watching how the situation unfolds and the decisions made regarding the student's future education.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-15

 

 

I wonder who the boy's father might be?

I wonder if any money has changed hands? Surely not.😉

15 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I wonder who the boy's father might be?

Absent

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, Somboon Thiprangsi, the school's dean, clarified on Thursday that the student had not been expelled. Instead, he remains enrolled and has transitioned to online learning while a multidisciplinary team evaluates the appropriate timing for his return to school.

Should be never...

7 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

Absent

Probably influential

15 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I wonder who the boy's father might be?

It did say his parents have been counseled to have his mental health assessed, but yes, when a child attacks another, especially an adult, they've usually seen this in their own homes. Bullies come from bullies. Absent parenting is a major precursor to bad behavior in children, learning how to react to others only by their peers, but in this case, the parents are involved, but to what extent we don't know. Him acting good beforehand can mean he hasn't been stressed to a certain point where he exploded, like he did here, going after his teacher because of a grade. To go off because of something so minor can see him doing much worse when he's really stressed, against a girlfriend or wife, or the police. 

Had i tried that in my time, oh boy....

And the family name and "Hiso" status?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 the student had not been expelled. Instead, he remains enrolled and has transitioned to online learning while a multidisciplinary team evaluates the appropriate timing for his return to school.

The decision was framed as an opportunity for the student to reflect and seek guidance, as he had reportedly been well-behaved prior to the incident. His parents have been counselled to have his mental health assessed.

Thai wokeness is growing

Thai schools are businesses.  Anything that might affect the amount of baht rolling in is conveniently forgotten.  My son taught in a Hat Yai school and was told by the principal he could not give a fail grade to a boy who had an attendance record of 3% to his lessons in case this reflected on the school's reputation!

My (then) step-daughter was interviewed for a teaching post in a Bang Saray school and asked me to exit my car parked in the playground and attend the interview.  My girl was promised the job after I agreed to teach voluntarily for three half days.  The offer was conditional on seeing all candidates on the short list.

The offer was withdrawn the following day; we heard later the successful candidate's offer of 300,000 trumped my 39 years' teaching experience.

Teachers should all go on strike until he is removed and they are given the same protection from harm as the students

17 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I wonder who the boy's father might be?

it does not really matter ,the schools morals stink and should be dismissed straight away

1 hour ago, rumeaug said:

Had i tried that in my time, oh boy....

 

I would have been flat on my ass at best.  In the principal's office, I was getting reacquainted with the strap, and then I had to go home after the school called my mother.  School calling my mother was punishment but then her telling dad what the latest was that i had been up to left me with no desire to sit for a few hours.

 

That, along with he would have taken me to work and spend 8 hours sweeping up kitty litter and cleaning oil stainson the floor of the garage while everyone told me what they thought of me to hit a woman and a teacher.  Sorry not worth it

 

But now there is no repercussion and kids are no longer responsible for their actions.

 

If I were the teacher, I would charge the boy with assault and file a civil suit against the family.

 

 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In Uthai Thani province, a private school is facing mounting criticism following its controversial decision to allow a Grade 11 student, who assaulted his maths teacher, to continue his education online instead of expulsion. The incident has stirred significant public debate.

 

The incident occurred on 5 August when a 16-year-old student from Nong Chang district attacked his teacher, Pornthip, following displeasure over receiving 18 out of 20 on a maths exam. In the aftermath, the teacher filed a police report, and initial rumours suggested the student had left the school.

 

However, Somboon Thiprangsi, the school's dean, clarified on Thursday that the student had not been expelled. Instead, he remains enrolled and has transitioned to online learning while a multidisciplinary team evaluates the appropriate timing for his return to school.

 

The decision was framed as an opportunity for the student to reflect and seek guidance, as he had reportedly been well-behaved prior to the incident. His parents have been counselled to have his mental health assessed.

 

Despite the school's intentions, the decision has ignited controversy among alumni and the local community. An alumni group expressed its disapproval via Facebook, arguing the school's response downplays the gravity of the student's actions, which they say undermined the teacher’s dignity and compromised school safety.

 

The alumni’s statement underscored the potential legal repercussions under the Criminal Code, highlighting penalties such as a two-year jail sentence or a fine up to 40,000 baht (approximately 35,000 Thai Baht). They also referenced the National Education Act and Education Ministry regulations, reinforcing the severity of the assault.

 

"This decision disregards the law and the seriousness of the assault," the statement read. "It sends a concerning message that diminishes respect for teachers and compromises the safety of the school environment."

 

As the debate continues, the case has brought attention to how schools manage disciplinary issues and balance second chances with accountability. The broader community remains vigilant, watching how the situation unfolds and the decisions made regarding the student's future education.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-15

 

 

"

 ... who assaulted his maths teacher, to continue his education online instead of expulsion. The incident has stirred significant public debate.

 

The incident occurred on 5 August when a 16-year-old student from Nong Chang district attacked his teacher,..."  

 

Full details of the 'assault' who help to understand.

The Student aged 17 I believe should be legally charged for assaulting the teacher, no questions, & expelled from the school! The problem is with todays youth they so often dont know their boundaries and so often irresponsible parents fail to implement basic discipline! Its a global problem!

Agre the  boy should be expelled and parents fined.

But-on the other hand; what is punishment if a teacher asult a pupil in thailand, and is punishment enforced ??

Should at least be economic punishment "that hurts"....

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

It did say his parents have been counseled to have his mental health assessed, but yes, when a child attacks another, especially an adult, they've usually seen this in their own homes. Bullies come from bullies. Absent parenting is a major precursor to bad behavior in children, learning how to react to others only by their peers, but in this case, the parents are involved, but to what extent we don't know. Him acting good beforehand can mean he hasn't been stressed to a certain point where he exploded, like he did here, going after his teacher because of a grade. To go off because of something so minor can see him doing much worse when he's really stressed, against a girlfriend or wife, or the police. 

 

Having taught for 25 years there was (nearly) always a strong correlation between a kid's attitude/behaviour and the 'type' of parent you would eventually meet.

1 hour ago, portisaacozzy said:

it does not really matter ,the schools morals stink and should be dismissed straight away

 

Not if his father (or mother) is a hiso......whole different complexion on the matter.....but I do see your point.

For me, the biggest surprise in this story was reading that a student scored 18 out of 20 in a mathmatics exam. The 7-11 headhunters will be scrambling for this lad.😋

Of course, the rotten kid should be allowed to continue his studies online! Why not? All kids had to during lockdown.

22 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Agre the  boy should be expelled and parents fined.

But-on the other hand; what is punishment if a teacher asult a pupil in thailand, and is punishment enforced ??

Should at least be economic punishment "that hurts"....

When I went to school if we misbehaved we got caned, no mucking around! So we were taught to behave which is what is missing in schools today,  society is breeding brats!!

On 8/15/2025 at 4:51 PM, Gandtee said:

I wonder if any money has changed hands? Surely not.😉

Could it possibly be a case of, "My dad paid for 20/20 not 18/20."?