Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Teachers in Suphan Buri have raised the alarm over a shocking case of child abuse involving a drug-addicted father who allegedly forced his nine-year-old son to buy methamphetamine and prevented him from attending school.

 

On 2 September, district chief Ratchakrit Phayak of Song Phi Nong district confirmed that teachers from a local school had filed a complaint against a 51-year-old man, identified only as Winai, a casual labourer known to be addicted to meth.

 

According to the complaint, the man had repeatedly assaulted his son, known as “B”, since the boy was in Primary 1. Now a Primary 3 pupil, the nine-year-old had endured years of physical violence, including beatings day and night. The father also allegedly forced the child to buy methamphetamine on his behalf, threatening him with further abuse if he refused.

 

Following the report, district officials, defence volunteers and anti-drug officers launched a raid at the suspect’s makeshift wooden shelter. When officers arrived, the man attempted to flee by jumping over a wall but was quickly apprehended. A urine test returned positive for meth use and a search of the property uncovered 10 methamphetamine tablets along with drug paraphernalia.

 

The suspect was arrested and handed over to Song Phi Nong police for legal action.

 

Meanwhile, the boy was rescued by relatives and teachers prior to the raid. He later told authorities that his father had beaten him regularly since he was old enough to remember, often striking him on the head and ears. He also revealed that his father frequently ordered him to skip school and run errands to buy drugs from a dealer, fearing police arrest if he went himself.

 

Teachers confirmed the boy’s account, noting that he was often absent from school, arrived without lunch money, and depended on staff for daily meals. They also described being verbally abused by the father during home visits and said the child frequently had to sneak out of the house to attend classes.

 

The case has drawn outrage from the local community, with residents expressing relief that authorities have intervened to protect the child after years of abuse.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-09-03

 

 

 

While I'm happy this poor kid finally was rescued from this situation, I can't help but wonder why this apparently went on as long as it did.  It seems the facts were widely known for some time.