Krissana Chatsuwan, Fatal InitiationBrutal student initiations have led to 2 deaths
Despite repeated tragedies, ugly initiation rituals continue to haunt freshmen's lives.
Last week, a first-year student at Rajamangala Tawan-ok University of Technology's Uthen Thawai Campus revealed that she was forced to eat ink-stained paper and handfuls of chillies by older students.
After she lodged a complaint with the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation, Uthen Thawai launched a probe yesterday.
Uthen Thawai's acting rector Suebpong Muangchu admitted that despite serious efforts, it remained difficult to eradicate violent initiations. Sompong Sheethaisong, dean of the faculty of engineering, said he had done everything he could to stop the rituals.
"But deep down, I really have no idea how to end this problem," he said.
Last year, Uthen Thawai hit the headlines after first-year student Krissana Chatsuwan sustained fatal head injuries during an initiation in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
"I can't come to terms with what happened. He was my only son," said Krissana's father Prachern. He made a plea that his son be the last to die in an initiation ritual.
However, that wasn't the case.
Just months later, 16-year-old Nirojsak Intachote sustained similar fatal brain injuries during an initiation ritual at another vocational school.
Many other victims have been left with serious wounds and painful memories.
Cruel rituals
Last year, Suradej Suwanrat -- a first-year student at Rajamangala University of Technology Bangkok - was badly burned along with two others at an initiation rite.
Questioned by police, the senior students involved said the rite was something they had been through in their first year.
Back in 2005, a first-year at Rajamangala University of Technology Isaan described being forced through 10 days of rituals with other juniors that included tugs of war with their sexual organs, setting their pubic hair on fire and crawling on cement floors with hands tied.
He refused to return to the college.
A year later, more than 20 first-year students at Thanyaburi Technical College were herded into a derelict house in Nakhon Nayok by seniors who forced them to strip naked.
"They lit candles and dripped hot wax onto our skin," a victim said. "Those who resisted were punched and kicked. Some of us were beaten unconscious".
A passing police patrol eventually scared the seniors off.
75 students suspended, five teachers face investigation
Freshmen were beaten up, had pubic hair burnt and were threatened at gunpoint during their initiation. -The Nation/ANN
Thu, Jun 11, 2009
The Nation/Asia News Network
The Rajamangala Institute of Technology Uthen Thawai Campus yesterday suspended 75 seniors for forcing freshmen to swallow inkstained papers in a recent initiation ceremony, while taking disciplinary action against five lecturers for their alleged support for the hazing.
Acting rector Suebphong Muangchoo called on the aggrieved freshmen or their parents to come forward to further identify guilty seniors. The 75 penalised students were suspended for a year. The five lecturers are being questioned on their alleged encouragement of the seniors.
Apart from eating the paper, more details are emerging that the freshmen were beaten up, had their pubic hair burnt and were threatened at gunpoint during the initiation, according to San Worrain, a member of an investigation committee appointed by the Office of Higher Education Commission, which oversees all vocational schools and colleges.
The Paveena Hongsakul for Children and Women, which received the original complaint from a freshman on Sunday over the hazing, said it would officially lodge a complaint to the Education Ministry to take further action. Four Uthen Thawai freshmen have resigned and others are said to be in the process.
Around 200 Uthen Thawai alumni met yesterday with the management and incumbent students. Wichai Pomprasert, head of the alumni's association, said the incident had affected the campus' public image and said guilty seniors would not be protected after they were implicated.
Freshmen injured in the ceremony or who suffered from distress from the intimidation are entitled to up to Bt30,000 (S$1275) in expenses for medical treatment, said Surin Sathianmas, a deputy Rights and Liberties Protection Department directorgeneral. He said no victims of hazing had ever applied for these costs.
The alumni's association has proposed a sports day event and a traditional ceremony to initiate vocational students be held to replace the hazing ceremonies on a permanent basis. Both events should be held within the campus this year and could be held elsewhere, but under campus supervision, in the future.
Father to seek justice for son
His son died from a blow on the head during a Thai varsity hazing session. -Daily Xpress, ANN
Tue, Jul 22, 2008
Daily Xpress, ANN
The father of an Uthen Thawai University first-year student says he'll seek the prosecution of those responsible for his son's death in a hazing on Monday.
Prachern Chatsuwan says he'll demand the criminal prosecution of both the seniors and university management.
Prachern says his wife earlier rejected criminal action because she was distraught and in shock.
Post mortems say Krissana Chatsuwan died from a blow to the head during an initiation event in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
There will be an investigation of the Monday death, the culpability of senior students and management of hazing activities by the university.
Prachuap Khiri Khan police deputy commander Colonel ThIwa Boondamnoen says police are finding out who was involved.
He adds there were no teachers at the event and witness have not been able to provide much information.
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