In a shocking incident that has sent waves through the Lahan Sai district of Buriram, Thailand, a 13-year-old student bravely approached the authorities with a harrowing tale of assault by none other than her own schoolmates. On February 11, with her parents in tow, the young girl made her way to the Lahan Sai Police Station, casting a spotlight on a troubling act of violence that unfolded just a day prior, on February 10.
According to her account, what began as an ordinary school day quickly turned into a nightmare. The student, a diligent Grade 7 pupil, recalled how the ordeal began around 9 a.m., when a seemingly harmless instruction from a classmate turned sinister. Upon returning to her classroom, she was met not with open arms, but with a slap that set off a series of violent episodes.
The attack quickly escalated as she was forcibly removed from the school grounds, dragged away from any hope of witness or intervention. In a chilling sequence of events, she was taken to a toilet in another building, a grim setting for what would be an hour-long assault. The physical and psychological toll was immense; she was slapped, her head stamped on, and, in a heart-stopping moment, her head was smashed against a toilet bowl.
The alleged motive? A petty accusation that she had spoken ill of someone—a claim made by a fellow student that somehow spurred at least 10 classmates, spanning both Grade 7 and Grade 9, into action. The reason hardly justifies the brutality that followed.
The young victim’s mother, known simply as Hathairat, shared the distressing news that her daughter lives with her grandparents, as her and her husband work in towns far from home. It wasn’t until she received a distressing video via social media that she grasped the gravity of the situation. Faced with such undeniable evidence, she decided there was no choice but to involve the authorities.
As parents, educators, and now the police grapple with this incident, one question looms large: how could something like this happen within the walls of a school meant to nurture and protect? Hathairat expressed her family’s deep concern and the reality that their daughter now harbors a pervasive fear of returning to a place that was once a second home.
Tragically, not far from Buriram, another violent incident marred the region when a 52-year-old man with a disability was killed in the Surin province. On February 10, police responded to an alert of an assault near the village hall in Mueang, Sangkhla district. The victim, An, a local man equipped with a prosthetic leg, was found amidst his mourning relatives, marking another day of loss and heartache.
These incidents punctuate a series of disconcerting events in Thailand, with headlines echoing tales of crime, weather upheavals, and even technology busts. Amongst this backdrop, the story of the young girl and of An resonates with a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals, young and old alike.
In response to such tragedies, communities and authorities are called upon to reflect, respond, and help repair what has been broken—ensuring that schools remain sanctuaries and that justice, empathy, and vigilance guard every corner of society.
This is absolutely horrifying! Schools are supposed to protect kids, not turn them into victims of such brutality.
I agree, Anna. It’s terrifying to think this could happen anywhere, let alone in a school.
Exactly, it’s a failure at multiple levels—educators, parents, and the system as a whole.
As a teacher, I can tell you that schools are often understaffed and teachers can’t monitor everything. It’s overwhelming.
I think the parents are partly to blame for not being around enough. If the kid lived with them instead of grandparents, things might have been different.
That’s a bit harsh. Many families are separated for work, it’s not always about blame.
Still, if you’re not there for your kid, it’s a reality you have to face. Communication and presence matter.
I hope those responsible face serious consequences. Such behavior cannot be tolerated and must be punished severely.
How do you punish kids, though? They’re minors, jail isn’t the answer.
They need rehabilitation, but the victims need justice, too. A balance must be struck.
These kids learn such violence at home or from media. We need to change what they’re exposed to.
I disagree. It’s the lack of discipline in schools that’s the cause, not media or home alone.
Discipline helps, but it’s not the entire solution. We have to look at all influences.
Very sad. Unfortunately, violence in schools is becoming a global issue. We need international cooperation to address it.
As a mother, this story breaks my heart. Just imagining my children in such a situation makes me incredibly afraid.
It’s frustrating, schools should be held accountable if they can’t provide a safe environment for students.
Believe me, they try, but budget cuts and overcrowding make it nearly impossible to catch everything.
Perhaps increased funding is necessary then. It’s our responsibility to make it safe for children.
The fact that this had to be reported by the student herself shows a lack of vigilance on the part of the school authorities.
It saddens me deeply not just because of this incident but also because of the broader pattern of violence we’re seeing worldwide.
Are we really surprised? This is what happens when school becomes more about testing than real education and moral guidance.
What really bothers me is that this won’t be the last incident unless we take massive steps toward prevention.
You’re probably right, but at least bringing attention to these cases might open up discussions for change.
Until we address the root causes, we’re just applying band-aids to a much larger problem.
Stories like this just keep coming. How did we reach this level of brutality among kids?
Lack of empathy, perhaps? That’s not really taught in schools the way other subjects are.
It should be. Sometimes the basics of being a decent human being are the most important lessons.
There are no easy answers here, but awareness is the first step. Let’s hope for a positive change.