Teachers face jail term for toddler's death
Police are preparing to press harsher charges against a teacher and an assistant teacher over the death of a young girl who was accidentally locked inside a school van early this month.
Three-year-old Manassanan Thongphu never regained consciousness following the April 3 incident, and died at Bangkok Hospital yesterday morning.
Bang Poo Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Wichit Boonchitwuttikul said Daorong Srisamung, an assistant teacher, and Santiparp Wanjai, the computer teacher-cum-school van driver, would be charged with recklessness leading to the girl’s death.
Initially, they were charged with recklessness that led to her being hospitalised. According to the ongoing investigation, Daorong was responsible for checking arriving students and closing the van’s door on April 3. Santiparp was the van driver that day.
If convicted, both face up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Bt20,000.
Wichit said the school would also be held responsible for Manassanan’s death.
“This is separate from the civil lawsuits that her parents can file,” he added.
The girl’s mother, Rattana Nakhonsopa, said she would now focus on arranging the funeral for her daughter and leave it to police to pursue the case.
“I loved my girl so much, it’s heartbreaking for us to lose her,” said her tearful husband.
The grieving father urged schools to improve safety precautions for all children, irrespective of their age.
