Fifteen senior Rajamangala University students in Nakhon Ratchasima have been dismissed for their role in organising a violent hazing ritual that caused another pupil’s death, according to the school.
Kosit Sriphuthorn, rector of the university, yesterday said its investigation panel has updated the investigation into the death of 19-year-old freshman Padyos “Prem” Chonpakdi, who was fatally beaten during a hazing ritual on the night of 13th March.
Mr Sriphuthorn said the probe found 67 freshmen and sophomores participated in the activity.
During the ritual, the sophomores ordered the freshmen to take off their clothes and crawl on their hands and feet, Mr Sriphuthorn said, adding they beat the first-year students until one of them — Padyos — died from the trauma.
He said the activity violated the university’s code of conduct and prohibition of hazing rituals issued last year.
The investigation found that 15 sophomores were directly involved in the beating of Padyos, causing his death, and they have been dismissed for serious misconduct, he said.
Other sophomore students who secretly organised the hazing are facing suspension and those who attended the ritual will have their behaviour scores cut, he said.
Any student punished can appeal within 15 days, he said, adding the punishments came into effect on Friday.
“The penalty imposed by the university was not imposed under [the country’s] criminal laws,” Mr Sriphuthorn said. “Students will need to resign, but they can apply for university entrance with their first-year grades.”
“However, some who are charged [by the police] with colluding in assault causing death and assault causing physical and mental harm will face more serious penalties that affect their future,” he said.
Mr Sriphuthorn said the university panel’s punishments order will become part of the university’s standards in addressing further mishaps.
The Rajamangala University of Technology Isan in Nakhon Ratchasima will try to alleviate the damage and impose protocols to prevent similar misconduct from happening again, he said.
The university’s alumni presented 400,000 baht in donations to the victim’s father, Mr Sriphuthorn said.
