Pattaya Arunothai School has suspended indefinitely an art teacher who severely beat a student who forgot his homework.
Wutthikorn Sunthornwipark was also reported to the Chonburi Education Office for his caning of a fourth-grader, assistant principal Prayoon Janded said Aug. 26. He added that the school forbids corporal punishment.
Pornsraung Wattanasuntornsin, a 35-year-old reporter and Lego store owner, brought her injured son to Pattaya police to report the caning, which left marks even a day later. A meeting with school officials was arranged, but Pornsraung rejected any offer of reconciliation, stating that the punishment was excessive given that the boy simply left his study work at home.
Prayoon described Wutthikorn as a “quiet and gentle” teacher who had never shown aggression toward students. He was a previous winner of the school’s “best teacher” award and may have, the assistant principal said, hit the boy too hard by accident.
Prayoon said Wutthikorn is willing to apologize.
