BURIRAM — 24 March 2026, A 54-year-old teacher at a secondary school in Lam Plai Mat district has been accused of sexually abusing female students over nearly two decades, prompting an internal response by the school and raising concerns among parents.
The teacher, identified by local officials as Sarawut (surname withheld), has been suspended from duty pending further action. Allegations reported suggest the misconduct occurred in multiple locations, sometimes in the presence of other students. It was not immediately clear whether police had filed charges as of Tuesday.
School director Panisara Senaphan said the allegations involve misconduct spanning several years and acknowledged the case has affected confidence in the school.
“This concerns the actions of one individual, which has had a significant impact on the school’s reputation,” she said.
Panisara, who assumed her position about two months ago, said the school is holding daily meetings with staff to address the situation and consider measures to restore trust among students and parents.
Those measures include expanding channels for students and staff to report concerns, as well as reviewing supervision and safeguarding practices within the school.
Reporters visiting the campus during a recent admissions period observed a quieter-than-usual atmosphere, with relatively few families attending to apply for lower and upper secondary levels.
One parent said she remained uneasy despite the teacher’s suspension, citing concerns about student safety. She declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the case.
It remains unclear whether any formal complaints had been filed prior to the current allegations, or whether external authorities are conducting a parallel investigation.
The case has raised broader questions about oversight and reporting mechanisms in schools, particularly in situations involving alleged misconduct by teaching staff.
Officials have not released further details about the allegations, citing the need to protect students’ privacy.
