The father of a university freshman killed during a university hazing ritual has refused to accept half a million baht in compensation from the upperclassmen responsible for his son’s death.
Ekachai Chonphakdi, whose son Padyot “Prem” Chonphakdi died Sunday after being beaten while intoxicated, told reporters that he turned down the parents of the the seven students when they approached him yesterday.
“Could I get my son’s life back?” the 55-year-old man said he told them. He wants justice from the criminal justice process instead.
Korat students whose hazing killed freshman to be charged with assault
Padyot was the sole victim of a hazing ritual at Rajamangala University Technology of Isan where first-year students were forced to drink excessively then beaten. Prem died on the way to Fort Sunaree Hospital.
An autopsy found bruises to his lungs and chest. His body is to be cremated Monday at Wat Noi in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The seven students have been charged with assault. Police said additional charges are forthcoming as the families of two other students injured during the hazing plan to press charges.
The student suspects and 18 others will also be charged with infliction of distress for allegedly forcing students to remove their shirts and violate COVID health measures.
Brutal hazing rituals are routine at Thai places of learning. This latest incident was brought to light by Anti-SOTUS (which stands for “Seniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, Spirit), which has long campaigned against the violent rites many freshmen go through.
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Korat students whose hazing killed freshman to be charged with assault
