School chief deserves jail

Those investigating a sex scandal involving a school director and a 14-year-old student in Nakhon Ratchasima deserve praise for wrapping up the case in such a short period of time. The initial probe was obviously forced by the huge public attention concerning the case of Nathaphob Thongboontho, director of Ban Patong Tha Neon Samakkhee School in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Bua Yai district, and the girl, who is an 8th-grade student (Mathayom 2).

A panel investigating the case found the 51-year-old director guilty and he will face severe disciplinary action. Since the girl is a minor, he will also face a criminal charge in accordance with the Child Protection Act. Bua Yai police said they would summon him to acknowledge a charge of child abduction for obscene purposes. Consensual sex is unlawful in the case of a minor. The probe, which was launched following a complaint by the mother of the girl’s ex-boyfriend, was based on witness accounts, as well as an examination of Line messages and photos sent between Mr Nathaphob and the student which indicated an intimate relationship.

The mother also filed a complaint with Bua Yai police, accusing Mr Nathaphob of sexually molesting a minor.

Supphaphongsa Chantharang, deputy director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Service Area 6, told the media that Mr Nathaphob, who has been transferred to work at the primary education service office pending a final probe, could be sacked.

Since the scandal went public, the director has been absent from his job, claiming to be sick.

Bua Yai police said Mr Nathaphob was issued a summons and was expected to acknowledge a charge of child abduction for obscene purposes. A summons will also be sent to the girl’s parents.

If the director fails to report to investigators, police will seek a warrant for his arrest from the Bua Yai Provincial Court.

Reports suggest Mr Nathaphob may have a dark past. Several witnesses allege he has been romantically involved with other minors.

Reports in the local media indicate that he was transferred from another school in Nakhon Ratchasima province following an alleged affair with a young student.

His transfer to Ban Patong Tha Neon Samakkhee School last November was reportedly opposed by some school staff members, but Mr Nathaphob asked for an opportunity to correct his behaviour.

Their opposition failed as the Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Service Area 6, despite the controversy, dismissed their concerns and went ahead in assigning the director to the school due to a personnel shortage.

This was the wrong call.

One school staffer said he and his colleagues disagreed with Mr Nathaphob being appointed because they were afraid the director would cause a scandal.

According to media reports, Mr Nathaphob has a wife, aged 20. The couple have been together for four years.

This means his wife was only 16 when she married the director. She disappeared after the scandal broke.

Others reports claim Mr Nathaphob has previously faced disciplinary action and a cut in salary.

A senior education official later denied the reports but conceded the director had been transferred several times.

The same official seemed to suggest there may have been deals reached to hush up previous sex scandals.

This case highlights how vital it is that the ministry conduct thorough background checks of its personnel.

In the case of Mr Nathaphob, firing him from the job is not enough. He must be stripped of his work licence, to prevent him from returning to any teaching job.

A swift investigation must be followed with speedy disciplinary action. The director deserves to go to prison — without delay.