School director charged with molesting girl

Narongwit Phakham, centre, a school director in Phetchabun's Lom Sak district, surrenders to police on Tuesday. He is alleged to have molested a young schoolgirl in his office. (Photo: Suntorn Khongwarakhom)

PHETCHABUN: The director of a primary school alleged to have molested a schoolgirl in a video that went viral online surrendered to police on Tuesday and was charged with performing an obscene act on a minor under 13 years old.

Police identified him as Narongwit Phakham, 59.

The alleged offence was exposed when the Facebook page "Red Skull Society" uploaded a four-minute clip showing the school director with a schoolgirl in his office.

The Lom Sak Court approved a warrant for his arrest at the request of Ban Tiu police in Lok Sak district.

Mr Narongwit surrendered after learning about the warrant.

Pol Col Nikom Prompiram, the Ban Tiu police chief, said Mr Narongwit was initially charged with performing an obscene act on a minor under 13. The offence carries a prison term of up to 20 years.

Mr Narongwit denied the charge and was released on police bail on Tuesday night after questioning.

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) has ordered an investigation.

Secretary-general Amnat Wichaynuwat said the director could be fired if found guilty.