Phuket probes kindergarten injuries amid social media uproar
Officials in Phuket have launched an investigation into alleged student injuries at Patong Kindergarten following concerns highlighted on social media. A high-level meeting was convened on February 10, with officials committing to a comprehensive and impartial inquiry.
Attendees of the meeting included Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri, Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, Deputy Mayor Lalita Maneesri, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, senior police officers from Patong Police, representatives from the Department of Social Development and Human Security, and concerned parents.
Vice Governor Ronnarong announced that a fact-finding mission, directed by the Phuket Governor, will be undertaken by a working group over the next 15 days. Patong Police is also prepared to take legal action if necessary, while psychological officers have been assigned to engage with the affected children to ensure fairness for all involved.
This investigation began after social media posts revealed a young boy with facial bruises and a serious wrist injury. The child’s parents were initially informed that the injuries resulted from a fight with another child at the kindergarten, a claim they now contest.
Patong Mayor Chalermsak confirmed that Patong Municipality is actively addressing the situation and is determined to find a resolution. Deputy Mayor Lalita highlighted the municipality’s commitment to prioritising the case since its initial report.
“We have taken this issue seriously and are working to ensure justice for all parties. We urge everyone to wait for the evidence to be properly assessed.”
Student injuries
Investigators are currently seeking to determine the cause of the injuries and establish the incident’s full details. Pol. Lt. Col. Wichet Suwanno of the Patong Police has called for truthful accounts from all involved, assuring that the investigation will remain impartial.
Meanwhile, the parents of the injured child have expressed concerns about their child’s safety at the school and have decided to keep him at home for the time being, considering a transfer to a different school. The parents of the child accused of causing the injuries have also requested a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
They disclosed that they had given 4,000 baht (US$117) to the family of the injured child as a gesture of responsibility, but if it is found their child did not cause the injuries, they would like the money returned.
To enhance security and reassure parents, Patong Municipality has announced plans to install additional CCTV cameras across all 13 classrooms to improve monitoring and ensure student safety.
The investigation is ongoing, with police promising updates as more information becomes available. Phuket MP Chalermpong pointed out online that the parents of the injured child have raised concerns regarding the severity of the violence, questioning whether a child aged three to four could exert enough force to cause the visible bruises.
They also noted inconsistencies in the teacher’s initial statement about going to the bathroom, which did not match what was said during the meeting.
The parents also questioned why the school had not brought both sets of parents together to discuss the incident but had spoken to them individually.
Pornpirun Khamleang, Director of Patong Kindergarten School, explained that following the incident during mealtime, the school implemented a rule prohibiting all personnel from eating with students.
Additionally, homeroom teachers were assigned the responsibility of supervising the children, reported The Phuket News.
After hearing from both children’s parents, Deputy Mayor Lalita suggested measures to address the issue. These included temporarily reassigning teachers to administrative roles during the investigation and allowing students to remain with other teachers to help them acclimate to a comfortable environment.
She also emphasised the importance of employing a multidisciplinary team of child experts to uncover the truth.
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