Thai Gym Teacher Throws Mug at Student, Disfigures Her Face

A Thai student claims her face became disfigured after her gym teacher reportedly threw a mug at her, damaging facial nerve tissue.

The victim, a 17-year old identified as Naruedee, sustained nerve damage from the impact of the ceramic mug tht rendered her unable to control parts of her face or close her mouth correctly, Bangkok Post reported (via Coconuts Bangkok).

Her mother, Pranee Jodsanthia, 48, has alleged that the gym teacher, identified only as Paitoon, and the school where he teaches have so far refused to take action. She said that the teacher has not even contacted them since the incident.

Jodsanthia has been waiting for a response from Chokchai Samakkee School after requesting assistance in paying the 300,000 baht ($8,600) medical treatment that her daughter needs.

She also claimed to have filed a complaint with the local police a month ago, but the authorities have yet to conduct any investigation on the matter. Out of desperation, the frustrated mother has sought the help of the local media to seek justice.

According to Naruedee’s account, her gym teacher gave instructions to the whole class to sit on the ground outside the classroom before his class started on Aug. 8. She refused to obey the order and remained standing as she claims the ground was too hot from the sun. Paitoon, who was then angered by her disobedience, threw the mug at her direction and hit her left forehead by accident.

She noticed something wrong that evening when she tried to brush her teeth and she could no longer properly control her mouth. Unable to close her mouth normally, she then found that part of her jaw had twisted and her left eye had become difficult to control.

She and her mother immediately went to the authorities at the Chok Chai police station the next day and filed a complaint. However, the police did not provide them their copy of the report because of concerns that it might be shared on social media.

Speaking with the school director, Jodsanthia was promised that the school would cover the medical costs for her daughter. Treatments given at the local hospital, however, were not successful and Naruedee’s face remains twisted.

When it came time to pay the bill at Bangkok’s Ramathibodi Hospital, however, the school reportedly changed their mind, saying they would cover only THB 80,000 of the total THB 300,000, or around $2,300. For the rest of the medical cost, Jodsanthia was allegedly told they would have to sue for it.