NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A full investigation has been launched after a university lecturer alleged that her lecturer husband had sexually abused their two children, aged 7 and 9 years.
The complainant is a 37-year-old woman, a lecturer at a university in Nakhon Ratchasima.
She filed a police complaint on April 27 against her 47-year-old husband, who teaches at the same university, accusing him of sexually abusing their two children, a girl of 9 years and boy aged 7, on several occasions.
She sought help from the provincial governor on Tuesday, and also alleged her husband had threatened her.
On Wednesday, the accused husband spoke to reporters and denied the allegations.
Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantaranothai said on Thursday the woman felt the police investigation was moving too slowly, and asked him for help.
He had met with police handling the case and was told it was sensitive, a matter of domestic violence involving children.
The investigation had to be very thorough, with psychiatrists participating in the interrogation process, the governor said. Investigators were doing all they could to allay the woman’s worries about the case.
Mr Wichian said he would ensure justice for both sides. If true, the alleged abuse was unacceptable to the public. Psychiatrists would be invited to interview the children again, he said.
Police would provide protection for the woman if she wanted it, and accommodation at a safe place, the governor said.
Pol Col Krittaya Laoprasopwattana, chief of Muang police station, said investigators had the results of physical examinations of the two children from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. He declined to disclose the details.
Investigators would let the psychiatrists finish questioning the children before deciding whether to call the father in to acknowledge charges, or not. The case would become clearer next week, the Muang police chief said.
The rector of the university where the couple work also described the case as "sensitive". The university had not yet set up a disciplinary inquiry because police had not pressed charges against the man, he said.
He also gave an assurance the university would ensure justice for both sides. University staff were taking care of the children, he said.
All names in the case have been withheld to protect the children.
Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantaranothai confirms an investigation is underway into the alleged sexual abuse of two children. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)