Phuket father files assault charges against son's teachers

[webfact]

Phuket father files assault charges against son's teachers
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Phuket father has filed an assault complaint with police against two teachers at his 9-year-old son’s school.

The father told Wichit police on Tuesday afternoon that teachers at Wichitsongkram School had struck his son several times over the last month.

“Mr Pichit told us that on June 14, that one teacher hit his son’s hand and made it bleed,” said Wichit Police officer Suporn Muangkai.

“On July 3, the same teacher ordered a girl in the class to hit boy’s back.

“On July 13, the boy had a headache and ‘seemed different’, so the father questioned him and found out that a another teacher had hit him in the head,” said Sub Lt Suporn.

Mr Pichit took his son to Vachira Phuket Hospital to be examined and submitted the test results to police when he filed his complaint.

He said he had first reported the problem to the Damrongtham Center (the Provincial Ombudsman’s Office) but “nothing happened,” so he turned to the police.

Police plan to meet with the director of the school and will also invite both parties to come to negotiate at the station, said Lt Suporn.

Last November, a Phuket teaching assistant was suspended from her job at a nursery school after striking a 4-year-old child (story here).

In that case, the Damrongtham Center had taken action on the mother’s behalf.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-father-files-assault-charges-against-son-s-teachers-21678.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-07-18

[lemoncake]

Sometimes I just do not understand Thai ways.

If accusations are true , what is there to negotiate?

Should not criminal case be opened against the teachers? Instead of negotiating with the director ?

[CrisRMenumate]

Negotiating = saving face and ... saving the time, cost, risk and hassle of dealing with Thailand's court system. Very often the onus is on the aggrieved party to file a case against someone, prosecutors wont do it on their own even when the aggrieved party is the Thai people, the risk to them is that if they make any single slip and the dude gets off then the defendant becomes the aggrieved party and takes criminal action against who ever filed the case, if the person who caused you harm has more connections than you, you have no chance of winning and therefore risk reciprocity Thai justice style... its a glorious world. so a School Director would have more connections that most local parents and be able to ensure that prosecutors saw things "their" way... perhaps I over generalise but that has been my experience... back to my coffee

[stevenl]

What is there to negotiate? Or is this about money?

[CiaranO]

If its true - arrest both of them - fired and imprisoned - pictures plastered on the front pages of all newspapers so we know who they are.

[phetpeter]

The father seems to be scared to go to the school alone to talk to the director, and head of the teachers.....I am sure that his son, hadn't done anything wrong? Of course while he is doing this his son has to suffer in school, any problems in the school have to be dealt with now, not tomorrow, and not next week. We must wait and hear all sides of this story before blaming the teachers outright. I have worked in Thai schools for nearly ten years, and things ain't what they seem all the time.

[lee b]

this teacher seems to need a smack

[kingstonkid]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

[Espen]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

[Malthus101]

The son is obviously a troublemaker, no doubt due to bad parenting (as it always is)

Hit away I say....

Edited July 18, 2013 by Malthus101

[kingstonkid]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

There is a big difference between giving a kid a tap on the ass if they misbehave and beating a child.

Have you ever thought that there may be an issue with the kid pushing things. As to where i teach it really does not matter most schools in thailand have corporal punishment.

Is it right I am gong to agree that it is not. however, it is also not right that no matter what the kid does he gets a pass to the next year.

Would you rather that your child which i am sure is as pure as the driven snow is not allowed to learn because this student has decided that they do not want to learn and would rather disrupt the class?

I think not.

There is an old adage that if you do the Crime you must do the time.

The kids know what happens if they push things to the extreme. This is not something that just happens on a whim.

If anyone has an idea that would work better please suggest it to the powers that be and to your child's teacher.

The one i liked with my daughter was send me a note in her journal that she was a problem and I would deal with it.

Unfortunately you cannot expect parents that have a feeling of entitlement to do anything.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

The father seems to be scared to go to the school alone to talk to the director, and head of the teachers.....I am sure that his son, hadn't done anything wrong? Of course while he is doing this his son has to suffer in school, any problems in the school have to be dealt with now, not tomorrow, and not next week. We must wait and hear all sides of this story before blaming the teachers outright. I have worked in Thai schools for nearly ten years, and things ain't what they seem all the time.

what difference does it make if the kid has done something wrong if he is being beaten?

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

corporate punishment indeed.

way to condone this.

Edited July 18, 2013 by GirlDrinkDrunk

[Espen]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

There is a big difference between giving a kid a tap on the ass if they misbehave and beating a child.

Have you ever thought that there may be an issue with the kid pushing things. As to where i teach it really does not matter most schools in thailand have corporal punishment.

Is it right I am gong to agree that it is not. however, it is also not right that no matter what the kid does he gets a pass to the next year.

Would you rather that your child which i am sure is as pure as the driven snow is not allowed to learn because this student has decided that they do not want to learn and would rather disrupt the class?

I think not.

There is an old adage that if you do the Crime you must do the time.

The kids know what happens if they push things to the extreme. This is not something that just happens on a whim.

If anyone has an idea that would work better please suggest it to the powers that be and to your child's teacher.

The one i liked with my daughter was send me a note in her journal that she was a problem and I would deal with it.

Unfortunately you cannot expect parents that have a feeling of entitlement to do anything.

The root of it all, I think, is something you said: I quote you: "There is a big difference between giving a kid a tap on the ass if they misbehave and beating a child."

I believe that this was a topic about a father who believes that his sons teachers are beating him, not just giving him a tap on his ass.

I am painfully aware that here where I live the teachers use thin bamboo sticks to hit the children on their fingers and the back of their hands, backs and asses, even the back of their thighs sometimes, if they misbehave or haven't done their homework. But I would go absolutely ballistic if I had a child come home from school bleeding from somewhere due to a teacher or with a head injury.

And I don`t care if it`s the norm here, I would absolutely tear the school down with my own two hands.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Espen

[mochafan]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

Are you saying your kids don't behave? Have you ever been a teacher in Thailand?

[Espen]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

Are you saying your kids don't behave? Have you ever been a teacher in Thailand?

I am really trying as hard as I can to see your point here, but I just can`t get my head up my ass.

[lemoncake]

The son is obviously a troublemaker, no doubt due to bad parenting (as it always is)

Hit away I say....

Even IF i was to agree with your methods, and even IF he was the biggest ass in the class, you do not hit a kid on the head for obvious

reasons, not to mention country is already full on brainless people, there really is no need for more.

Edited July 18, 2013 by lemoncake

[Salapoo]

In a beautiful Buddhist country, filled with smiley Buddhist Thais, I find it all very hard to believe.

[BuriramRes]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

When I went to school (in NZ 60 years ago) the punishment was 1-4 hard wacks with a cane (outside the headmaster's office). Did not do any physical damage, only to the ego!! Bring back the cane, I say.

[lemoncake]

The son is obviously a troublemaker, no doubt due to bad parenting (as it always is)

Hit away I say....

Even IF i was to agree with your methods, and even IF he was the biggest ass in the class, you do not hit a kid on the head for obvious

reasons, not to mention country is already full on brainless people, there really is no need for more.

Edited July 18, 2013 by lemoncake

[lemoncake]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

When I went to school (in NZ 60 years ago) the punishment was 1-4 hard wacks with a cane (outside the headmaster's office). Did not do any physical damage, only to the ego!! Bring back the cane, I say.

1. When you went to school dinosaurs also walked the earth

2. You need more than a cane to get through Samoan, Tongan or Maori skin

3. Can not compare being hit on the ass or the head. Head can have very serious repercussions including, but not limited to brain damage, internal bleeding, concussions, loss of eye sight, perm migraines and so on

[MaxLee]

Violence starts with teachers in this rote learning society, ... and you wonder why kids in Thailand become violent,... FORGET BLAMING TV, FOR GET BLAMING THEIR SUPERHEROES OR FORGET BLAMING THEIR FAVORITE ACTION VIDEO AGMES,....

THE SOURCE OF VIOLENCE IS RIGHT AT THE CLASSROOM FROM A YOUNG AGE ON,... BLAME THE F********IN' TEACHER AND THE SYSTEM

[unanimosity]

Negotiating = saving face and ... saving the time, cost, risk and hassle of dealing with Thailand's court system. Very often the onus is on the aggrieved party to file a case against someone, prosecutors wont do it on their own even when the aggrieved party is the Thai people, the risk to them is that if they make any single slip and the dude gets off then the defendant becomes the aggrieved party and takes criminal action against who ever filed the case, if the person who caused you harm has more connections than you, you have no chance of winning and therefore risk reciprocity Thai justice style... its a glorious world. so a School Director would have more connections that most local parents and be able to ensure that prosecutors saw things "their" way... perhaps I over generalise but that has been my experience... alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24> back to my coffee

You had to sugarcoat it didn't you.

[unanimosity]

Johnny's mom looked down the street at the marching band in the parade and said, "Would you look at that, everybody in the band is out of step execpt for my Johnny."

[Ulic]

Just remember 10 year old children lie a lot. They bully other kids, they can tell parents what they want to hear.

It is never the child's fault in the eyes of the parents. Talking with both sides to get to the bottom of the story

seems reasonable. Not listening to one side and flying of the handle. Maybe the child and the teachers should

both be suspended and the child taken from the parents and sent to foster care for bad parenting. Who knows.

Lets not jump to conclusions based on what a 10 year old has told his father.

[Ulic]

Just remember 10 year old children lie a lot. They bully other kids, they can tell parents what they want to hear.

It is never the child's fault in the eyes of the parents. Talking with both sides to get to the bottom of the story

seems reasonable. Not listening to one side and flying of the handle. Maybe the child and the teachers should

both be suspended and the child taken from the parents and sent to foster care for bad parenting. Who knows.

Lets not jump to conclusions based on what a 10 year old has told his father.

[hawker9000]

What IS it about Phuket!?

[kamahele]

My boyfriend is a teacher in the public school system (he doesn't hit his students) and it is a thankless job. Teachers have to work with other educators who are just plain stupid and lazy, corrupt school officials and students whose parents don't give a <deleted>. I can imagine the frustration level can be high for some teachers (not condoning beating in any form here).

[canman]

The problem is that you are living in a country where corporate punishment is the norm and not the exception.

As a teacher i would be willing to be that everything else had been attempted to get the kid inline and he had not gotten with the program.

Negotiation is the way to go here as there are issues that probably could resolve this at home. For instance Dad telling his kid to smarten up and get with the program so that teachers do not have to punish him.

If the child behaves then there is no need to punish. I am sure a girl hitting him would not be the issue and there is no mention of how hard the kid was hit on the head.

Remember folks that are from the US. Sometimes it is the kids fault do not start to blame everyone else if your kid is a pain in the ass. Be happy your kid is not in a school that has bamboo.

The ombudsman that made the change before did nothing that tells me therr is a lot we are missing.

So you`re saying that it`s ok to beat a kid who doesn`t behave? Please tell us where you teach so I can keep my kids away from there.

There is a big difference between giving a kid a tap on the ass if they misbehave and beating a child.

Have you ever thought that there may be an issue with the kid pushing things. As to where i teach it really does not matter most schools in thailand have corporal punishment.

Is it right I am gong to agree that it is not. however, it is also not right that no matter what the kid does he gets a pass to the next year.

Would you rather that your child which i am sure is as pure as the driven snow is not allowed to learn because this student has decided that they do not want to learn and would rather disrupt the class?

I think not.

There is an old adage that if you do the Crime you must do the time.

The kids know what happens if they push things to the extreme. This is not something that just happens on a whim.

If anyone has an idea that would work better please suggest it to the powers that be and to your child's teacher.

The one i liked with my daughter was send me a note in her journal that she was a problem and I would deal with it.

Unfortunately you cannot expect parents that have a feeling of entitlement to do anything.

"

"There is a big difference between giving a kid a tap on the ass if they misbehave and beating a child."

I would class any adult who hits a 9 year old in the head hard enough to cause a head ache as a beating.

[Soupdragon]

Just remember 10 year old children lie a lot. They bully other kids, they can tell parents what they want to hear.

It is never the child's fault in the eyes of the parents. Talking with both sides to get to the bottom of the story

seems reasonable. Not listening to one side and flying of the handle. Maybe the child and the teachers should

both be suspended and the child taken from the parents and sent to foster care for bad parenting. Who knows.

Lets not jump to conclusions based on what a 10 year old has told his father.

"Talking to both sides to get to the bottom of the story seems reasonable"

I agree with this in principle however we are talking about a culture where the adults lie fluently to save face. I would no more take the word of the teacher anymore than I would the child. You have to use your own judgement to decide on a course of action.