Boy Severely Burnt in Hornet-Nest Fire Clearing Incident

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek 

An 11-year-old Primary 5 pupil has been left with severe burns after a teacher set fire to a hornet nest at a school in Tanin, Bang Pahan district, Ayutthaya, prompting the family to call for urgent accountability after more than two weeks without clear support from school authorities. The incident occurred on 11 November at around 10.00, with the boy later transferred to Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani due to the seriousness of his injuries. The family says they have not received adequate assistance from the school, despite the child suffering extensive burns across his body.

The boy’s grandfather, Mr Saman, 59, said he rushed to the hospital after the school notified him of the incident, only to find his grandson wrapped in gauze from head to toe, with blistering and peeling skin. Doctors restricted close contact for fear of infection while the child cried in pain. Mr Saman later learned that the teacher had burned a hornet nest using a cloth wrapped around a stick soaked in oil and had asked children to help, resulting in flames erupting and engulfing the boy.

He said the situation was unacceptable, stressing that the task should have been handled by professionals or rescue teams, not children. He added that more than two weeks had passed and the school had remained silent, offering no clear commitment to responsibility. Although the school’s accident insurance provided 4,000 baht, the family has had to shoulder travel and care costs after the child was moved to Thammasat University Hospital.

The boy’s father, Mr Weerayut, 34, who works in Chon Buri, said he must repeatedly take leave to care for his son, resulting in lost income. On days he cannot attend, he must hire someone to stay with the child. He said school administrators should accept responsibility rather than staying quiet, noting that a meeting was held, but no resolution on compensation was reached.

He described the incident as the result of the teacher seeking student volunteers to help remove the hornet nest. His son and another child assisted and when the teacher poured turpentine onto the cloth, it suddenly ignited, causing a flare-up that burned both children. The teacher also sustained injuries.

Komchadluek reported that relatives of the teacher have provided some financial assistance, but the father said it is far from sufficient given his son’s wounds, covering 50% of his body and the additional losses and expenses. The family is seeking clarity, responsibility and fair support from the school. A police report has already been filed at Bang Pahan Police Station.

Key Takeaways

• A teacher’s hornet-nest burning attempt caused burns to a Primary 5 pupil and injured another child.

• The family says the school has provided no clear support more than two weeks after the incident.

• A police report has been filed as the family seeks accountability and compensation.

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 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Komchadluek 2025-11-25