Fifteen students blamed for the death of a freshman during a hazing beatdown at a northeastern university did not return to class today.
The student suspects, all sophomores, were given the boot Saturday by the Rajamangala University of Technology Isan for allegedly organizing a hazing session involving alcohol and beatings that ended in the death of first-year student Padyot “Prem” Chonphakdi.
The disciplinary action was ordered by rector Kosit Sriputhorn.
Kosit said that the 15 students have the right to appeal within 15 days. He added that they can use their first-year exam results to apply to other universities.
Padyot was the sole fatality of a hazing ritual earlier this month where first-year students were forced to drink excessively then beaten. He died on the way to Fort Sunaree Hospital.
An autopsy found the 19-year-old sustained bruises to lungs and chest attributed to repeated punches. In the course of the police investigation, seven of the 15 expelled students have been charged with assault. Twenty-five others not suspected of being directly involved in Payot’s death were charged with causing humiliation, and 10 second-year students had their first-year exam results revoked.
Parents of the student suspects attempted to buy off his father’s absolution with half a million baht; he declined, telling them it would not bring his son back.
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