PHETCHABUN: Five students were yesterday expelled amid accusations of rape at a Covid-19 isolation ward for girls at a boarding school in Muang district.
The school director has been transferred to an inactive post, pending investigation.
The order made by Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong in response to allegations the boys had climbed into the dorm and committed sexual offences against some of the students inside.
The parents of one victim, aged 17, filed a petition with the ministry after the case failed to make progress since the incident on Aug 24.
Ms Trinuch said the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) will launch a probe and interview everyone on the premises that night, including staff. Psychologists will treat victims for any trauma suffered.
Obec secretary-general Amporn Pinasa said the school had isolated students infected with Covid-19 on the upper floor of the dorm. Teachers claim they were not aware of the incident.
A source said the girl told police the five students first appeared at the dorm and had sex with five of the girls on Aug 23.
The next night, the group showed up again at about 11pm. The student told police she was raped by a 15-year-old classmate named Earth while the other 30 girls in the room remained in their beds following threats from the gang.
The student said during the police interview that after reporting the incident, teachers urged her to admit that she had consented.
The school had offered her parents an injectable contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
Paveena Hongsakul, president of the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women, said the foundation has put the girl's mother in touch with Pol Col Ronnarit Suchapoj, superintendent of Muang police, to begin legal proceedings.
The girl is in hospital undergoing a physical examination, and police and a multidisciplinary team will interview her again on Tuesday.