Probe launched into mug-throwing caseA schoolteacher in Nakhon Ratchasima accused of throwing a mug at a 17-year-old student, allegedly causing a facial nerve injury, has been transferred.

Chukiat Wisetsena, director of the Secondary Educational Service Area Office 31, said Paithoon Klaengkratok, 58, has been moved to office duties.

Mr Paithoon is a physical education teacher at Chokchai Samakkee School in Chok Chai district.

The transfer came after Pranee Jodsanthia, 48, accompanied by her daughter, Narudee, who suffered facial feature distortion after Mr Paithoon allegedly threw a mug at her, brought the issue to the media's attention.

A disciplinary panel against the teacher was under way Wednesday. A result is expected within seven days.

Earlier report: Education, justice officials investigate

Mr Chukiat said an adviser to a class which Narudee, a Mathayom 5 student, attends and four other classmates who witnessed the incident testified to the panel Wednesday.

Student Somsak Kakrathok said Mr Paithoon threw a ceramic mug at Narudee and other students. The teacher became angry when students stood up to avoid sunlight during an outdoor class on Aug 8. The mug missed other students and hit Narudee's face.

Provincial justice chief Pichianpatana Intarapanich is supervising the probe to ensure fairness, Mr Chukiat added.

Narudee was taken by Pavena Foundation for Children and Women chairwoman Pavena Hongsakula to Yanhee Hospital in Bangkok for an examination Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the hospital, its CEO Supot Sumritvanitcha said Narudee's muscles on the left side of her face were unresponsive due to a nerve injury caused by an object hitting the base of her left ear.

Dr Supot said Ms Narudee was also unable to close her left eyelid which could lead to eye irritation, inflammation and blindness without proper treatment.

He described Narudee's conditions as "severe".

However, further medical tests would determine whether facial nerves were inflamed or damaged, he added.

Yanhee Hospital CEO Supot Sumritvanitcha explains the causes of facial feature distortion suffered by Narudee Jodsanthia, a Mathayom 5 student at Chokchai Samakkee School in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The attack left some swelling above her left eyebrow. After Ms Narudee went home, she was unable to close her mouth and left eye, which later developed into facial distortion.

Ms Narudee and her mother lodged a complaint with Chok Chai police on Aug 9. Later they decided to seek help from the media after the police investigation failed to make headway.

Ms Pranee said the school gave them 40,000 baht to help pay for her daughter's treatment.

The teacher also offered to pay 80,000 baht of his own money for damages.

However, the family declined the teacher's offer, saying a hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima where the girl was treated initially estimated the medical cost at 300,000 baht.

Chokchai Samakkee School director Niphon Pakdeekaew insisted the school has consistently provided assistance including medical expenses for the student.

The issue reached the media after the family's negotiations with Mr Paithoon over the medical payment failed on Monday, Mr Niphon said.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by PRASIT TANGPRASERT

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