A high school student has died after spending more than ten days in intensive care after he was subjected to hazing by a group of older students. His family is now seeking the prosecution of the perpetrators.

The victim, Pisit Kumniw, was a Matthayom 3 (Year 9) student at Phra Pathom Wittayalai School in Nakhon Pathom. On 29 June, a group of around 15 Matthayom 6 (Year 12) students and Matthayom 3 (Year 9) students, gathered in front of a house in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, where Pisit took part in a welcoming activity for new students, or “rap nong” event, which involved getting kicked three times in exchange for a class bracelet.

Pisit was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Nakhon Pathom Hospital. He remained in a coma and reportedly had swelling of the brain, bruised lungs, and injuries all over his body. He passed away on 18 July.

His sister said that after the funeral, the family intends to seek the prosecution of the perpetrators, but said that they will need a lawyer. Panuwat Songsawatchai, a member of the anti-hazing activist group Anti Sotus, said that the police have only questioned 2 – 3 witnesses out of 15, and that he and the family are discussing their course of action, which may involve filing a manslaughter charge on top of the assault charge. However, Panuwat said that charges would be filed against only one of the students, who was turned in by his parents on 8 July and was later released on bail, because it has not yet been proven whether the crime was committed by one person or many people.