Korat school director suspended over alleged fling with teenage student
A 51-year-old Nakhon Ratchasima school director accused of having an inappropriate romantic relationship with a 14-year-old schoolgirl will be suspended from Monday pending an investigation expected to take 120 days.
Suwit Srichai, acting chief of the northeastern province’s Education Office, ordered the suspension and probe after a Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Service Area Office 6 fact-finding committee found grounds substantiating charges of wrongdoing.
Suwit acknowledged this was a serious accusation against a school director, who is supposed to set a good example for teachers.
He said he wanted the public to understand the case involves one individual and not condemn educators as a whole, so as to not discourage good teachers.
Besides facing the possibility of dismissal from the civil service without pension, the Bua Yai district
school director, Nathapop Boonthongtho, has been summoned by police to appear in person by the end of Friday to hear a charge of “taking away” a minor under 15 for lewd act.
If he fails to do so, an arrest warrant will be sought.
Ban Nong Ploung School director Parinya Prajong, another executive under Office 6, said the accused should have known better and refrained from having an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student, which is a serious breach of discipline.
Parinya said he was disappointed and saddened that the allegation had tarnished the image of school directors in general.
Should Nathapop be found guilty, Parinya said, he should be severely punished.