Thai students brutally abused by soldiers in behaviour modification camp

Parents and guardians of students in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok are seeking justice after soldiers brutally abused students during a behaviour modification camp on military premises in Chon Buri province.

Bangpleeratbamrung School in Samut Prakan sent 130 students to the behaviour modification camp after they violated school rules by smoking, fighting, engaging in altercations over romantic matters, arriving late to school, and more.

The camp, operated by soldiers at Phra Maha Jetsadaratchao Camp in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, ran for three days and two nights, from 25 to 27 September, to correct the students’ negative behaviour.

The brutal treatment at the camp came to light after the students returned home and shared their experiences with their parents and guardians.

They reported that the soldiers at the camp kicked and slapped them. Some were forced to eat grass and rotten fruit, while others were given humiliating haircuts, which resulted in head injuries.

One mother told Channel 7 that her 17 year old son was kicked in the back, leaving him struggling to breathe and causing him to have a seizure. Instead of helping the boy, the soldiers shouted vulgar insults at him.

Another father disclosed that his 18 year old son was slapped for looking at the soldiers, while another guardian shared that his nephew was distressed after being kicked for dropping his bag. The nephew also complained that his family no longer loved him for allowing him to be tortured at the camp.

Parents dissatisfied

Students who attended the camp revealed to the media that one of their peers tried to defend others by asking the soldiers why they were being abused. This student did not receive an answer and was instead slapped in the face for questioning them.

Families brought the matter to the school but the school denied the accusations, claiming the students were lying. The deputy headteacher even dared the families to sue the school if they had evidence and threatened to counter-sue, causing some families to drop their complaints.

However, another group of guardians persisted and took legal action against the school and the military trainers. Their complaints led to an urgent meeting on September 30, attended by the head of the military trainers, teachers, the victims, and their guardians.

The lead military trainer apologised to the families and promised to investigate the incident. The teachers and school directors also apologised to the families. The school director promised that no more students would be sent to military or behaviour modification camps and that alternative activities within the school would be arranged to avoid such violence.

Channel 7 reported that many of the victims’ families were dissatisfied with the meeting’s outcome, as their children had suffered both physical and mental injuries. They called for a quicker investigation and greater accountability from the school.