Gun-toting principal quits post

Gun-toting principal quits post

SONGKHLA: The director of Thepha School in Thepha district, accused of raping a Mathayom Suksa 3 student and carrying a gun in public, has tendered his resignation.

Sangkorn Rakchuchuen, director of the Zone 16 Secondary Education Office, said yesterday that Sayan Chaleephol, 60, submitted his resignation letter to the office on Friday.

The resignation becomes effective on Feb 15.

Mr Sangkorn said the letter has been forwarded to the Songkhla Education Office for approval.

He said Mr Sayan's resignation will not affect the disciplinary investigation that has already begun against him.

If found guilty, he could be dismissed from being a civil servant.

The mother of a Mathayom Suksa 3 student earlier filed a police complaint, accusing Mr Sayan of rape and depriving a child of parental protection.

She reportedly provided evidence to back her charges.

On Feb 4, Mr Sayan, during the school's morning flag-raising ceremony, with hundreds of students and their teachers in attendance, apologised for his "personal problem" before reportedly pulling out a gun, triggering fear among students and teachers.

He said he wanted to make his apology heard.

As students fled, some teachers intervened to prevent Mr Sayan from harming himself.

That same day, he went to the Thepha police station and handed the gun over to police, which was found to properly registered.

Pol Col Thammarat Phetnongchum, chief of Thepha police, said on Friday the girl has undergone a physical examination and the results will be expected soon, adding the probe into the charges will be concluded this week.

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