A quiet afternoon at a school in Udon Thani turned into a nightmare on August 18 when a 53-year-old man driving a pickup struck a 12-year-old boy who was sitting in the activity area after classes. The boy, identified as Tang, was left with a broken pelvis and immediately rushed to Udon Thani Hospital. Doctors have since stabilized him and confirmed he will not need surgery, but he must remain hospitalized for at least three weeks while the pelvic bone heals.
What happened
According to reports, the pickup was driven by 53-year-old Phan — the husband of one of the school’s teachers. He later told media he did not notice Tang was sitting in that spot and expressed remorse, apologising to the family and accepting responsibility. Still, the incident stirred strong reactions from the local community and the family, who were worried the case might be downplayed because of the driver’s connection to the school.
The family’s fears and the school’s response
Tang’s mother, 45-year-old Rin, went to the media with her concerns, fearing the school would overlook the matter given the driver’s relationship to a staff member. Her plea pushed the story into the public eye and put pressure on school administrators to respond transparently.
School director Phayakkaphon Rodchompoo moved quickly to calm those worries, assuring Tang’s family that the school would fully support them. He said teachers will visit Tang in hospital, deliver homework, and provide help to ensure he does not fall behind academically while he recovers. Those gestures aim to show the school standing by the student — even as criminal and administrative processes unfold.
Legal fallout: charges could follow
Police have not yet pressed charges, officials say, because they are waiting to assess the full extent of Tang’s injuries. Under Thai law, if Tang’s treatment extends beyond 22 days, the driver could face prosecution under Section 300 of the Criminal Code for committing a reckless act causing serious injury. That offence carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. The possibility of formal charges has kept public attention focused on the case as residents await the final medical prognosis.
The driver’s statement and public reaction
Speaking to Channel 7, Phan said he did not want to get into the details but vowed to take full responsibility. “I apologise to the victim and his family,” he told reporters, acknowledging the outcry and insisting that the accident was not intentional. His claim that he simply did not notice the boy has been met with mixed reactions — some accept his apology, while others demand a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
Why this matters beyond one incident
Beyond the immediate pain and disruption for Tang and his family, the case highlights two broader issues communities often wrestle with: school safety and the potential for conflicts of interest when a suspect is closely connected to a local institution. Parents understandably want reassurance that rules and protections apply equally to everyone, regardless of personal ties or social standing.
For the school, the priority now is balancing compassion and practical support for Tang with transparency about how the situation will be handled. The director’s pledge to help Tang keep up with lessons is a concrete step aimed at minimizing the long-term academic impact of his injuries.
What’s next
- Tang remains in hospital and will be monitored for at least three weeks while his pelvis heals.
- Police will wait for a medical update; if Tang’s treatment exceeds 22 days, criminal charges under Section 300 may be filed.
- The school has promised ongoing support, including hospital visits and lesson delivery, to prevent Tang from falling behind.
As the community watches, the family hopes for justice and a full recovery for Tang. The driver’s apology may be a first step toward accountability, but many will be watching medical reports and legal proceedings closely to see whether that apology is backed up by concrete consequences and reparations. For now, the focus remains on Tang’s recovery and on ensuring he receives the care and educational support he needs to get back on his feet.
This is outrageous — a kid gets hit in a school area and the driver is connected to staff? That smells like preferential treatment and cover-up unless the police do their job.
I agree, Joe, but we should be careful not to convict someone in public before the medical report and investigation. Still, transparency is essential so the family trusts the process.
Transparency is exactly what people are demanding though; a private apology isn’t enough when a child is hospitalized. If the school won’t be open, the town will be loud.
Medically speaking, a broken pelvis is serious and can have long-lasting consequences; watching the 22-day threshold for legal action is important but shouldn’t be the only measure of responsibility.
Good point — focusing solely on days in hospital reduces a human injury to a checkbox. The system should weigh long-term impact as well as immediate stats.
Don’t forget community pressure can force proper action even if official channels are slow. Social media has teeth these days.
As a parent I’m terrified. If teachers’ spouses can drive through school areas and hit kids, who is watching the students’ safety?
Under Thai law Section 300 is straightforward: over 22 days of treatment could trigger criminal charges. But prosecutorial discretion and local influence sometimes complicate outcomes.
Thank you, Professor. So the family and public need to watch the medical records closely, not just the headlines.
As a teacher elsewhere, I also worry about liability and school policy. Schools must have clear no-drive zones and strict pickup rules — this shouldn’t happen in the first place.
If he really didn’t notice the kid he was driving like a maniac. Sorry, but that’s negligent driving in my book.
We don’t know the whole scene, maybe the kid was hidden by something or it was a blind spot, but negligence can still be negligence.
Blind spots or not, drivers at schools need to go at walking speed. I see too many people speeding through school gates.
This case raises an important procedural question: will prosecutors treat this as an accident or as reckless behavior? The distinction affects sentencing and public trust.
From the medical side, classification of injury severity is critical. The length of treatment and functional impairment inform whether it’s ‘serious’ legally and practically.
As someone who used to work in a school office, I know favoritism can happen, which is why the director’s public assurances are necessary but not sufficient.
I am Tang’s mother in spirit here — the school calling and visiting is kind, but we need paperwork, clear updates, and a promise to pursue justice if needed.
Exactly, Rin — gestures are fine but document them. Parents need proof the school backed the child and didn’t sweep it under the rug.
Sometimes an apology is a legal tactic to defuse anger, not a real admission of guilt. People should demand official statements and legal steps, not just words.
That’s cynical but often true. However, public shaming can ruin lives if the driver truly made a tragic mistake.
Consequences should match facts. If it’s a tragic mistake, restitution and education on safety are appropriate; if reckless, hold them accountable.
Prison for three years sounds harsh for one mistake, but if it was reckless behavior then maybe it’s warranted to deter others.
Back in my day, if a relative of a teacher hurt a child the village council would demand compensation and the school would be shamed unless things were fixed.
What’s compensation? Do you mean money? That seems weird to me, but kids should be safe, not paid off.
Yes, childfan, money or support for recovery — but more importantly an apology and change so it doesn’t happen again.
Why would a driver not see a kid sitting somewhere? Kids shouldn’t be in car paths, and drivers should be careful.
Both points matter: environmental design (keeping kids away from driveways) and driver vigilance. Safety is layered, not single-factor.
Clinically I worry about pelvic fractures in a 12-year-old — growth plates can be affected and rehabilitation is important to avoid chronic pain or mobility issues.
Thank you for that explanation; knowing the medical risks makes us angrier that this happened but also grateful for the care Tang is receiving.
Rin, please keep records of hospital visits and make sure the school has documented lesson delivery — schools often say they will help but paperwork makes it real.
As an educator, I support the school’s promise to help academically, but they also need to review traffic rules on campus and possibly ban pickups in that area.
Yes, bans and strict signage plus enforcement. Policies without enforcement are useless theater.
This is why communities need CCTV and independent oversight. Connections shouldn’t mean immunity.
Exactly — CCTV footage would cut rumors and prove what happened. If the school has cameras, release the clips to investigators, not social media.
People are too quick to demand punishment; if the man is truly remorseful and pays for medical costs, shouldn’t that count for something?
Restitution matters but doesn’t replace legal accountability if recklessness caused serious injury. The law exists to protect future victims, not just compensate this one.
Olivia, both can happen: civil compensation plus criminal proceedings. They serve different societal goals — making the victim whole and upholding public safety.
I want the police to be independent here. Locals might pressure them either way, so a transparent, outside review would help restore faith.
Bring in provincial authorities or independent prosecutors, yes. Local ties always complicate small-town justice.
We will request external oversight if we feel the case is being softened. The family isn’t asking for revenge, just fairness.
I keep thinking about prevention: speed bumps, designated drop-off zones, and staff only walking cars until campus is cleared.
Those are practical, low-cost fixes. School boards should implement them asap and communicate changes to parents widely.
Glad someone at least sees the practical side. Policy change is what keeps kids safe more than moralizing on Facebook.
Does anyone else feel uneasy about how quickly the director promised support? It’s great for optics, but could be a PR move to calm outrage.
Skepticism is healthy here, Kanya. Actions over time — documented visits, consistent lesson delivery, and cooperation with police — will show if the pledge is sincere.
I worry for Tang’s long term schooling. Three weeks in hospital might set him back, and not all teachers will follow through on homework delivery.
Tom, ask the school for an individualized education plan while he recovers. Most schools can arrange tutoring or recorded lessons if pushed.
Good idea, Claire. If the family requests it in writing, the school must comply under basic duty of care.
People complaining online should also remember accidents happen; but accountability must exist if there’s negligence, not just words.
Balancing mercy and justice is tough, but the baseline is protecting the child and preventing recurrence.
Agreed. Legal outcomes should aim to deter future negligence while considering intent and remorse.