Man filmed bashing pupil in classroom

       A teacher has been caught on video savagely bashing a young boy in a crowded classroom, authorities say.
       The footage was captured by another student using his mobile telephone.
       Kwongsiew Thai-Chinese bilingual school authorities said they would punish the Bangkok secondary school teacher who repeatedly hit the student.
       School director Srithai Damrongrat yesterday confirmed the video footage of the assault involving a 29-year-old science teacher and the school boy in class was genuine.
       Mr Srithai said the teacher took the student to task for failing to bring a textbook. The Mathayom 2 student responded with colourful language that enraged the teacher, authorities said.
       In the clip captured by a mobile phone camera by another student, the teacher is seen to have locked the student's neck with one hand and hit the boy's head several times.
       The teacher is seen to have also slammed the boy's head against a blackboard.
       The school director said the physical punishment was too harsh and it should not have happened.
       He said the incident took place just after he had advised teachers of the school's punishment policy on Sept 4.
       He ordered a disciplinary investigation into the incident which he said had tarnished the reputation of the school.
       Mr Srithai said he could not suspend the teacher because students were approaching their examinations and there was not a substitute science teacher.
       He said the student allegedly abused was not seriously injured and could attend classes as usual.
       The science teacher said yesterday the school boy had not brought a textbook and, when questioned, the boy reacted by uttering a rude word.
       The teacher admitted his physical punishment was too violent.
       He said the boy was not seriously injured and students were often injured in a more serious manner during schoolyard fights.
       The boy yesterday said he was not angry with the teacher and did not want the teacher to be investigated because he also did wrong.
       He said he had not told his parents about the incident. The boy said his classmate had recorded the video clip.