Tutor arrested for alleged sexual assaults in Pathum Thani
A tutor has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting three female students, including an 18 year old who endured the abuse in hopes of entering a prestigious university. The police have filed severe charges and opposed bail, suspecting more victims.
Yesterday, February 4 at 5.30pm, Pavena Hongsakul, Chairperson of the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Women and Children, accompanied the parents and three female students aged 14, 15, and 18 to the Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station.
They provided additional statements against 52 year old teacher, M, who owns a renowned tutoring school in Pathum Thani province. M was accused of sexually assaulting the students and has been apprehended by the police.
Pavena explained that on January 21, the parents of the 18 year old, referred to as A, reported the incidents to her foundation. A, a high school senior aspiring to become a pharmacist, had been attending M’s tutoring school due to its reputation for helping students enter medical schools.
She had been a student there for four years. M, both a tutor and the owner, became close to students, especially the female ones, often offering rides home. A revealed that her ordeal began in September 2023 when M started inappropriate behaviour, including touching, hugging, and kissing. She initially resisted but did not disclose the abuse as she wanted to continue her studies in hopes of university admission.
On October 19, after a tutoring session, M allegedly assaulted her in an unused classroom. Despite this, A continued attending classes until December 15, after her GAT/PAT exams, when she finally informed her parents.
Sexual assaults
Her parents then reported the matter to the Mueang Pathum Thani police on December 17. A also mentioned that two other girls, aged 14 and 15, had been molested by M in August 2023. These girls had since left the tutoring school and sought help from Pavena’s foundation.
Pavena coordinated with Police Colonel Wiwat Asawiboon and contacted Dusita Chaolert, from the Pathum Thani Department of Social Development and Human Security, to assist the victims.
She also reached out to the parents of the other two girls, who requested the foundation’s help in pursuing legal action. On January 23, the foundation filed further complaints.
Simultaneously, Pavena liaised with Doctor Thee Pawangkanan, deputy Secretary General of the Basic Education Commission, to investigate M’s tutoring school, which was found to be operating without a legal permit. Its operations were ordered to cease on January 24.
Yesterday, February 4, Pavena reported that Pol. Col. Wiwat had gathered evidence, including A’s medical examination results, and obtained an arrest warrant for M. The police subsequently arrested him.
The 14 year old has undergone an interview by a multidisciplinary team, while the 15 year old will be interviewed tomorrow, February 6, with further charges against M anticipated.
More victims
The parents of A and the other two girls expressed gratitude towards Pavena and Pol. Col. Wiwat for their swift action and requested that bail be denied due to fears of M reoffending or fleeing. The students remain traumatised, and it is believed there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.
Pol. Col. Wiwat stated that the police have 48 hours to present M to the court and will oppose bail due to the ongoing investigations involving the other two victims, reported KhaoSod.
Pavena emphasised the severity of the situation, highlighting the breach of trust by M, who was both an educator and a father figure to the students.
She urged any other victims or their parents to report incidents of abuse to the Mueang Pathum Thani police or contact her foundation for assistance. The foundation is committed to supporting victims and closely monitoring the case.
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