Legal Issue - Fight at school

[John HH]

Hi Guys

I have a question that I'm hoping someone more knowledgable will be able to help with.

Mrs John HH's younger brother has got himself in a spot of bother at school. It seems his friend got into a fight with another pupil during which he inflicted a black eye on this other lad. Now Mrs John HH's brother jumped into to stop the fight and held back his friend. The lad with the black eye has gone home to his parents who are now demanding 10k baht from both the assailant and the missus's brother (they claim he threw punches as well - something he denys and I believe him he's a very quiet, decent lad).

I've tried talking to the missus about getting the school involved, teachers, police witnesses anyone but unfortunately whole thai approach of not wanting to cause trouble is in full effect. Although she is going to speak to the parents tonight so hopefully i will know more at a later date.

What I really want to know is what can they do if they refuse to pay? I can imagine the non-legal ramifications but would like to know the legal ones. Surely without getting the police involved they cannot demand this sort of money?
I'm afraid this has all happened today and I'm presently not there to gauge the full situation so some details to me at least seem sketchy. This whole episode has made got me very hot under the collar especially as the missus is very stressed out by it all and is currently expecting our first born and so anything that upsets her at present makes my blood boil.

Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance

John hh

[Spitfire]

What I really want to know is what can they do if they refuse to pay?

Probably nothing, depends on how well connected all sides are but you will probably find that it's "all gas and no trousers", or just "handbags" because of a percieved loss of face somewhere, by someone. Let it calm down and see if it goes anywhere, chances are that it will just blow away like a bad smell once everyone realises that neither side has any money. What? It's his word against someone elses, not criminal, just babies blubbing.

Don't get involved in it, not for you, Thai business. On the cynical side, it could also be construed that it sounds like a case of "The buffalo died yesterday."

[John HH]

Hi Spitfire

Many thanks for your reply. It does seem like handbags to me. I can't imagine the ribbing I would have got had I brought my parents into a playground squabble when I was younger but anyway...

As for it being Thai business the lad of this boy is a farrang and from what I understand it is he who has been pushing for compo.

"On the cynical side, it could also be construed that it sounds like a case of "The buffalo died yesterday." "

I can however assure you that the above is not the case. As I say it only happened today and things are a little sketchy. Fingers crossed this will all blow over.

Thanks again for answering my question as I was pretty sure they didn't have a leg to stand on legally speaking.



John HH

[bluezephyr]

Since when have playground scraps resulted in payoffs.
It happened during school time, The teachers should act accordingly,

Tell em to 'F' off for 10k!:cuss:


Theyre just taking the pi$$, Stupid compensation culture.

[Wanderlust]

As for it being Thai business the lad of this boy is a farrang and from what I understand it is he who has been pushing for compo.

Assuming you mean Dad rather than lad, then he should know better in Thailand. The only way compensation would be due is through a court process and if the child had been injured, and even then it would have to be proved who started the fight. 10k baht is quite a lot in Thai terms so what injuries were suffered? And who was to blame? I agree with the other posters that this should be allowed to blow over without this sort of panic although I understand your concern with your pregnant wife. I think the appropriate phrase here is 'So sue me'!

[yabz]

Would it be indiscreet to ask which school this is?

[John HH]

Would it be indiscreet to ask which school this is?

Its not Hua-Hin if that's what your wondering.

John hh

[STEVE G]

I can't imagine that you can sue a minor in many countries, if any, and if that minor is at school he is clearly beyond the control of the parents, so in that case wouldn't you have to sue the school?
It all sounds very silly to me.

[charlesh]

Some school incidents include grenades, home made bombs, knives, and guns - sorry did you say Thailand ???

JHH does say a bit about the psyche of the injured party and parents though!! "forgive those that trespass ---" etc??

At school in Oz -"in loco parentis" that's until the sleazy ambulance chasers got involved and now probably open slather.

A case of how to win friends and influence people !!