Marching band members apologise for their 'childish behaviour'
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of students representing the Satriwithaya 2 School marching band yesterday apologised for pushing a businessman to fund an overseas trip, while the angered school alumni launched a web page to oust the school director.

The band returned from attending a competition in the Netherlands on April 2.

At the conference, Mathayom 6 student Pawares Jenphumdech, who is part of the "Max Percussion Theatre" marching band, said they now realised that pushing Ichitan Group's Tan Passakornatee to pay Bt3.1 million to cover their trip was very wrong. He said they only wanted their dream to compete at this event to come true, especially after they trained so hard for six months. Seeing that the school has become a target of heavy criticism after the group's move, he said he and his fellow band mates wanted to apologise.

Sunisa Sirisan, another band member, said the team was sorry for its action, adding that the move was very childish of them and that they failed to reflect on the consequences. She also urged the public to understand that the band only wanted to make a name for itself.

Pipat Thinphang-nga, another band member and school alumni, thanked the media for giving them a chance to explain themselves, adding that the group did not realise that their move to seek funding in the pursuit of a dream would affect the school's and the country's reputation.

"I'm sorry about the damage caused. Everyone in the band is unhappy. I cry every time I read the critical comments on Facebook. We did not kill anybody, nor did we break the law, yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai. I'm not good academically and wanted to bring fame to the school and Thai people via music. We didn't know that the result would be so bad. I understand that what we have done cannot be forgiven, but we would like to apologise and explain ourselves," he said.

Conductor Anusorn Pornneramit said the band also wanted to apologise to Tan for causing him problems and promised this would not happen again. He also called on Thai society and the school to forgive them, adding that the band were now praying for a miracle to take them to the United States to join a competition on Thursday - a hope that seems impossible due to the lack of funds. However, he said, the band would not resort to "borrow" any more money.

Meanwhile, Yada Mahanon, a representative of the school's alumni, said her group had set up a Facebook page to oust school director Pacharapong Trithepha. The page has so far gained 2,225 likes. She said the school director told her group on March 26 that he did not know of the band's "wrong move" to seek funds. However, an audio clip that surfaced on YouTube suggested otherwise.

Yada said her group has set up the page slamming the director because his action was immoral. The group will also hold an activity today to "symbolically" cleanse the school of the bad vibes resulting from the band's behaviour, she said, adding that the band would also perform.

She went on to say that the group was also planning to submit a petition to oust the school director at the relevant educational zone office later.


-- The Nation 2014-04-08

Any teachers or school management apologising? I thought not

Well at least they didn't sodomize anyone or murder new members as has happened in marching bands in the USA.

Perhaps they need to be teaching the students (and Directors) that blackmail and intimidation is not acceptable behaviour.

Perhaps they need to be teaching the students (and Directors) that blackmail and intimidation is not acceptable behaviour.

It is for Thailand,happening all the time unfortunately.was this idea of kids or teachers

regards Worgeordie

OK students let's try that again and this time with sincerity.

Did they do as good as the Olympic soccer team?

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Again. Who made from the flee an elephant?

This was a joke. They are young enough for it, they can do it.

Ichitan man would help them, he doesn't know what can he do with his huge wealth.

" We did not kill anybody, nor did we break the law, yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai. I'm not good academically and wanted to bring fame to the school"

Result then. I'd never heard of you before.

P.S. I believe extorting money is actually a crime.

An apology seems much more sincere when an offer to repay is included - but that would really be un-Thai.

" We did not kill anybody, nor did we break the law, yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai. I'm not good academically and wanted to bring fame to the school"

Result then. I'd never heard of you before.

P.S. I believe extorting money is actually a crime.

Yes it is a crime even if set in music and if the band were no good that just aggravates the crime.

If the victim is so rich he will be well known so his local BIB would listen to him so why didn't he just pick up the phone ?

Of course it is be "childish behaviour" as they are only children. However, those adults who put them up to it need to take the rap. They should be sacked immediately and the money be paid back from there redundancy packages. Just maybe then the penny will drop.

this doesn't sound like a trumpet up charge to me they should face the music

"She also urged the public to understand that the band only wanted to make a name for itself."

Seems the band definitely has succeeded in that - although in a quite negative way.

"I'm not good academically and wanted to bring fame to the school and Thai people via music."

The band reportedly was the ONLY contender in the category in which it was entered and - lo and behold! - won a prize for that. Oh sweet, sweet glory!

"We did not kill anybody, nor did we break the law, yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai."

WTH is that supposed to mean? Somebody can only be considered Thai if they DO kill somebody and/or DO break the law?

We did not kill anybody, nor did we break the law, yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai.

What a racist comment!!

So it is OK to treat foreigners as killers and lawbreakers?, just because they are foreigners

I saw the video and didn't see anyone marching.

Marching band members apologise for their 'childish behaviour'

Well, you are children, so the behavior fits. However, the school director is not a child...

Well at least they didn't sodomize anyone or murder new members as has happened in marching bands in the USA.

Setting the bar high, are we?

"yet society is treating us as if we are not Thai"

Actually, society is recognizing that you ARE Thai:

Concerned only about face, never stopping to consider possible repercussions of one's actions, issuing an "apology" to whitewash things afterwards, "vowing" to never do it again, crying, and looking for someone else to blame.

Quick... name the nationality I am describing!

Many of the Negative Comments Posted by "Adult" TV members about this "School Band Fundraising" are far More "Childish" than the students of that School Band who are "Children".

Camping out and Playing Music and Shows at a business after normal work hours from 8 at night until 5 in the morning can hardly be compared to pressuring or extorting. According to reports; The owner or CEO and the property and business were not threatened in any way. He could have easily said No.

The School's Alumni Association felt the activity was inappropriate and stated that they would make sure the money was paid back.

The School Administration and Director needs to be held accountable. Not the Students who are not Adults.

What a lot of crap. This has nothing to do with childish behavior which is simply a red herring to deflect the responsibility from where it truly belongs.

The school is responsible with the band kids simply being pawns of a corrupted culture.

Oh that's ok, surely they will return the money now, yes ?

Did anyone get their "Marching Orders" over this?

This not a flee, this an elephant.

Wannabees behavior at any prize. Apologies not accepted.

Well at least they didn't sodomize anyone or murder new members as has happened in marching bands in the USA.

Sometimes it is hard to stay focused on a story and not to minimalize behaviors by comparing them to a far distant one.

Why didn´t School director Pacharapong Trithepha or Yada Mahanon, a representative of the school's alumni apologise?

School director Pacharapong Trithepha should resign.

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Perhaps they need to be teaching the students (and Directors) that blackmail and intimidation is not acceptable behaviour.

What the students above seem to be saying is that, "We thought it was OK but we are sorry now. We had no idea we were doing anything bad because our teachers, our parents, our peers and Thai society in general has failed miserably to instil any basic moral values in us.

Can we get a photo of them pointing a something?

I think it's cool how they slipped in that they are now hoping for a miracle so that they can go to a competition in the US on Thursday, but they won't borrow any more money. Just too funny.

The apology should not have come from the band members. The kids have at least displayed more maturity than the school Director.

Well at least they didn't sodomize anyone or murder new members as has happened in marching bands in the USA.

You talk like you had a bad experience with a band member......Which instrument did they use on you.....Trumpet..,..Flute...I got it the Drum-sticks.