A married British teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing girls aged between seven and eight at a leading private school in Bangkok.
David Brown, 49, from Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, is said to have lured the children to his office during dinner breaks for extra English lessons.
However, he is said to have engaged in sexual acts with at least four different children over an unknown period of time at the Siam International School in Pathum Thani, on the outskirts of the capital.
A shocked teacher at the £6,600-a-year school only discovered the alleged abuse when she claimed to have heard girls in class talking about what Brown had done to them.
Brown was arrested at 6am on Wednesday morning, January 24, in the presence of his shocked wife. He collapsed and was taken to hospital before being discharged and questioned at the police station at 1pm.
David Brown, 49, from Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing girls aged between seven and eight at a leading private school in Bangkok
Police are now investigating how long the alleged abuse went on and how many other children were attacked.
He had worked at the school since at least September 2017.
Police Colenal Jirawat Piampinseth today confirmed the allegations, as well as the name and identity of Brown, who he said was in a cell a few meters away.
The police officer leading the investigation said: ‘The suspect has been living in Thailand for seven to eight years. He started working at the school in 2017.
“Parents of four children have filed complaints alleging that Brown brought the children to his office to teach them English and then sexually abused them.
‘When the parents heard about this, David was stressed and wouldn’t sleep at night.
‘He was arrested at his home at 6am the next morning and fainted, so he was taken to Pathumvet Hospital. He arrived at the police station at 1 p.m.
“David’s wife acted as an interpreter… He has been held in a cell at the station while the investigation continues.”
Brown is said to have a young daughter with his Thai wife, Toey Srisangar, who accompanied him to the police station. She is seen in the video translating police complaints for him.
Brown is pictured working at the school, which charges parents up to THB 300,000 (£6,600) a year in fees
The Siam International School in Pathum Thani, on the outskirts of the Thai capital Bangkok
Brown can be seen in photos and video from the Thanyaburi provincial police station wearing a blue t-shirt, green hat and white face mask.
The alleged abuse is said to have been exposed by a teacher at the school, who charges parents up to THB 300,000 (£6,600) a year in fees.
The school principal said that when the conversation was overheard, students were immediately questioned.
The police were informed and told the school that the parents should file a complaint against the teacher. Brown was later arrested after the parents of four girls filed complaints.
If charged and convicted, Brown faces up to 10 years in prison.
A mother of an eight-year-old girl who is one of the alleged victims told local media she is “furious.”
Brown is seen in photos and video from the Thanyaburi provincial police station
Brown is pictured wearing a blue t-shirt while being arrested
Brown is seen at the police station wearing a blue t-shirt, green hat and white face mask
She said: ‘I am very angry but also shocked and feel sorry for the children.’
A second parent of another alleged victim said their eight-year-old daughter had been studying at the school for five years.
He said, “My daughter was in David’s care. I only found out yesterday when the school notified me.
A shocked father of a girl at the school, who was not one of the four alleged victims who filed complaints, told local television that his daughter “had a good relationship with David.”
He says: ‘My daughter started school when she was three years old and is now about five years old.
Police are now investigating how long the alleged abuse lasted
“My daughter was under the care of this teacher. She was under the care of several teachers, but this one was close.
‘I can not believe it. It’s unfair and I can’t believe something like this happened.
‘When a Thai teacher heard about this, he was shocked and discussed it with the principal, who was also shocked.’
The school was contacted by telephone and declined to comment.
A receptionist said: ‘The director is having a meeting and will decide next week whether to release a statement.’
Brown is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.