'Attacked' student, 5, still in serious condition

A five-year-old Suphan Buri kindergarten boy who was seriously injured in an alleged assault by a seven-year-old Prathom 1 student earlier this week must remain on respiratory aid for at least six weeks.

Chulalongkorn Hospital assistant-director for critical patients Dr Apichai Angsapat reported Wednesday on the findings of a physical examination on the boy, transferred to the Bangkok hospital on March 12.

He said the young patient still had a blood and heart valvular infection and pericardial effusion, while his left arm and rib skin and muscle were inflamed. The boy also showed symptoms of depression.

Doctors have put him on a respiratory device, while providing antibiotics and medicine to increase his blood pressure. The boy's condition remains stable and must be under surveillance for at least another six weeks.

"His condition in general is considered serious but he is stable. It's difficult to [report on any improvement] because we received him only on Tuesday evening and we have to keep him under surveillance and treat him accordingly," he added.

Wednesday afternoon, the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women's founder Pavena Hongsakul, took the boy's grandmother Somkuan Rungthong, mother Kornphaka Feungfoo and aunt Suwanna Samthong to visit the boy.

Somkuan said his alleged attacker hadn't contacted the family about the assault case and they would let police and the justice system run its course. They would now focus on praying for the boy's quick recovery. She thanked the foundation for helping them.

Pavena said she also contacted Suphan Buri police to speed up investigation and also urged the Social Security and Human Security Ministry to help the family.

Later Wednesday evening, Pavena said she would take the family to the Education Ministry to ask for measures to take care of students during lunch break. The foundation received many complaints about student fighting or molesting during lunch breaks because there was no teacher to supervise them.