A prominent school in Buriram province has been plunged into crisis following shocking allegations that a 54-year-old physical education (PE) teacher has been sexually harassing students for the past 20 years. The veteran educator, who is among the school’s longest-serving staff members, has been suspended until further notice as authorities investigate the claims. This move acts as a mechanical necessity to ensure student safety and allow for an impartial inquiry into the distressing reports that have surfaced.
According to local media reports, the accused teacher was allegedly brazen in his conduct, often targeting female students in the presence of their peers. One particularly disturbing account claims that he harassed a girl while she was having lunch with her friends in the crowded school cafeteria. Such revelations have caused a wave of concern among parents, many of whom are now questioning the institutional oversight that allowed such behaviour to purportedly persist for two decades without intervention.
The atmosphere at the school remained muted this week, even as it opened its doors for the annual student application period between 19 and 23 March. Despite the somber mood, parents were seen enrolling children for grades seven to 10, though many expressed deep reservations. One parent noted that while the suspension was a start, there are fears that the teacher’s long tenure and potential connections to authority figures might allow him to evade formal charges.
Panisara Senaphan, the school’s director who assumed her role just two months ago, admitted to being completely blindsided by the accusations against the senior staff member. In response to the scandal, she has initiated daily meetings with the teaching faculty to develop strategies for rebuilding trust within the community. The administration has since established new, confidential communication channels to encourage students and parents to report any further grievances or safety concerns.
At present, it remains unclear whether any formal complaints had been lodged against the PE teacher prior to the current director’s appointment. While the school has taken internal disciplinary action, no official criminal charges have been levied by the police as of yet. The ongoing investigation will seek to determine the full scale of the alleged misconduct and whether systemic failures contributed to the length of time the teacher remained in his position.
