School head shunted after sex with pupil

Director could face sack after full inquiry

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The provincial education office yesterday transferred a local school director to an inactive post after an initial probe found him guilty of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old student.

Suwit Srichay, acting chief of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Education Office, yesterday said Nathaphob Thongboontho, 51, director of Ban Patong Tha Neon Samakkhee School in Bua Yai district, would move to the new post starting next week, while a full disciplinary probe, conducted by highranking education officials, is carried out.

Mr Suvit said Mr Nathaphob could end up being sacked, although the findings are not expected for up to four months.

He called on the public not to draw any conclusions about the general deportment of education staff from the incident. “Not all education personnel act improperly as Mr Nathaphob did. Don’t generalise as it could dishearten good and hard working teachers,” Mr Suvit said.

The transfer order was issued after an initial probe panel, set up by the Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Service Area 6, on Thursday found Mr Nathaphob had an intimate relationship with the Mathayom 2 (8th Grade) student.

The investigation was launched following a complaint lodged by Praiwan Haithong, the mother of an ex-boyfriend of the girl.

She also lodged a complaint with Bua Yai police, accusing Mr Nathaphob of sexually abusing the girl.

Line messages and photos passed between the director and the student were also produced. In the messages, both called each other: tee rak (my love) and the girl was also referred to by the director as mia ja (my wife).

Supphaphongsa Chantharang, deputy director of the Provincial Primary Education Service Area 6, yesterday said the agency’s probe panel agreed to instigate a formal disciplinary investigation against the school director on two issues: serious violation of the code of ethics for teachers and performing an obscene act on a child under the age of 15.

Mr Nathaphob breached the professional code of conduct by having an inappropriate relationship with a student and posting intimate photos of the pair on social media, he said.

As for the obscene act, that issue would be left to the discretion of police as it was a criminal offence, added Mr Supphaphongsa.

Mr Nathaphob, who had lived in the district with his 20-year-old wife for four years, had been transferred to work at the primary education service office during the initial probe. His wife left him after the scandal broke.

Also yesterday, the mother of the girl was questioned by Bua Yai investigators. She insisted the family would not take legal action against Mr Nathaphob.

So far, the Bangkok Post has been unable to reach the school director for comment, while the girl remains absent from school.

However, photos featuring a Line group conversation of big bike riders with messages sent by a user, named “Natapop B”, were released on social media yesterday.

According to the messages, Natapop B, believed to be Mr Nathaphob said: “The situation will soon be back to normal ... where will we meet this evening?”