A Buri Ram teacher who punched a 13-year-old student in the face has paid the family 40,000 baht in exchange for parents dropping criminal charges.
Raksina Thuayathaisong, 42, told the media Saturday that Siha “Joke” Boonthong, 43, had apologized and agreed to a 40,000-baht settlement for hitting seventh-grader “Nik” after he accidentally stepped on the teacher’s foot at Ban Sao School in Muang District on Friday.
The boy told authorities that he had apologized to the teacher, but the man lashed out at hit, leaving a welt and bruise on his face.
Another parent, Pornprasert Saenmee, 47, accused Siha of having mental problems, claiming she had seen him dump a bowl of hot noodle soup on the head of adults he had issues with at a streetside food cart in the past.
The mother had gone to police to have the teacher arrested, but dropped the charges once she was paid off.
Residents called on school authorities to discipline the teacher.
