School official faces molestation, rape charges

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: A primary school director in Phayao’s Chiang Kham district, who had been accused of molesting five pupils, is facing four counts of molestation and one count of rape.

Pol Lt-Colonel Sanit Wongyai yesterday said police and a multi-discipline committee had interviewed the five students from Prathom 1-4 levels and police had already informed the suspect of the charges against him.

The suspect sustained a broken arm and chest injury from a car accident in Dok Kham Tai district, immediately after the news broke out. The school director was granted release on bail so he could undergo surgery on his arm, Sanit said.

The suspect’s relatives, who were at the hospital, told reporters they would fight the court battle and he would not attempt to flee or intimidate the victims. They urged the community to give the man a chance.

— Phuket Gazette Editors