Thai lecturer’s 10 million baht lawsuit after mental health dismissal

Sombat Boongamanong, also known as Polka Dot, has shed light on the life journey of Dr Keng, a scholarship student who, after completing her PhD in England, returned to work as a Thai university lecturer. However, she fell ill and was asked to resign by the university management, leading to a lawsuit seeking over 10 million baht.

Sombat arrived this morning with Dr Keng to be guests on the TV program Kramkron News: Talk off the Screen with Sorayuth Suthatsanajinda and Bright Pichayada Chanphut.

Dr Keng, while studying for her PhD in England, suffered from mental health issues. She underwent treatment in a hospital. Fortunately, the university’s supportive care system was excellent, and her condition improved. She completed her PhD and returned to work as a lecturer at a university in the northern region of Thailand using her scholarship funds.

However, after a period of working as a lecturer, her condition rapidly deteriorated to the point where she could no longer control herself. The management asked her to resign before she had fulfilled the scholarship conditions, and the university sued her for over 10 million baht in scholarship compensation. It took her several years to get into a treatment process and although her condition has improved, she still suffers from depression.

On December 1, she returned to work for a foundation under a state agency, marking her return to the workforce after a decade. She is incredibly happy, and although her boss has suggested she could work from home, she prefers to interact with people and return to work.

As for the administrative court case, Polka Dot reported that a law professor had helped write an appeal for Dr Keng’s case.

In related news, a woman has successfully sued a netizen for derogatory comments comparing her face to the Attack on Titan cartoon character, resulting in a fine of approximately 13,000 baht.

According to Taiwanese media Taishi News Network, the drama that began with a comment about looking like Attack on Titan has turned into a legal saga with court appearances and hefty fines. Read more about the story HERE.