North city: Four police cadets were hospitalized following rigorous and prolonged punishment lasting four consecutive days, prompting concerns about the disciplinary practices at a police training center in the North. The incident has sparked fear among students, who claim the severity of the punishment impeded their ability to learn effectively.
According to Thai News Agency, a fellow police cadet questioned the training center’s ban on phone usage in a social media post. The cadet criticized the outdated policies, highlighting that despite the prevalence of online crimes such as fraud and hacking, trainees are not permitted to use phones to aid in their education. The post received numerous comments from classmates expressing similar frustrations, which eventually caught the attention of the instructor.
The instructor reportedly responded by administering a punishment referred to as “repair,” requiring the entire class to engage in strenuous activities after school hours from October 20th. The punishment
continued until the instructor was satisfied, culminating on the evening of October 24th when four cadets lost consciousness and were taken to the hospital. Approximately ten more students received first aid after collapsing from exhaustion.
A fellow cadet, identified as Mr. A, corroborated these events, revealing a broader issue of neglect and inadequate health management at the training center. Mr. A described how students, after entering the center, began to fall ill, and despite widespread instances of pneumonia affecting 200-300 individuals, the administration threatened students against informing their parents. The cadets were reportedly warned that disclosure would result in further punishment and restrictions on returning home.
The situation has raised alarms about the health and safety measures at the training center, drawing attention to the need for reforms in disciplinary practices and better support systems for cadet well-being.