Buriram: A teacher is pleading for help after being burdened with a loan guarantee for four fellow teachers, totaling over 16 million baht. The Director-General of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Rights Protection revealed that they are currently exploring ways to help "Teacher Tiw" continue her life after she was burdened with over 16 million baht in debt from guaranteeing loans for four fellow teachers. Her life is now in a critical state due to illness and a power outage at her home.
According to Thai News Agency, the case of Ms. Phimlapat, or Teacher Tiw, 47, a civil servant teacher at a school in Buriram Province, has progressed. She was abandoned by four fellow teachers, left to bear the burden of paying a debt totaling over 16 million baht. She had co-signed a loan for them in 2010 while teaching at a private school together. The loan was a rotating guarantee arrangement. However, the four teachers defaulted on their payments, leading to lawsuits from the bank. They refused to enter into a debt settlement process and instead declared bankruptcy to avoid repayment. As a result, Teacher Tiw, the sole guarantor and still employed, was sued by the bank to assume the entire 16 million baht debt.
In the past, she has written complaints to the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Ministry of Education, as well as the Private Education Promotion Committee and the Provincial Education Office, requesting assistance, but the matter has gone unresolved. She has received no help or solutions, causing her severe hardship. She has to pay off her own debts and also take on the debts of fellow teachers who have declared bankruptcy. Furthermore, her assets have been seized, resulting in not receiving her salary this month. This has led to accumulated stress, causing her to suffer a stroke, and she still requires ongoing medical appointments.
Recently, Teacher Tiw submitted documents and evidence to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Buriram to seek assistance and guidance on how to fight her case and resolve her debt problems. The Director-General of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Rights Protection is currently exploring ways to help "Teacher Tiw" continue her legal career.
Mr. Kosolwat Intuchanjong, Director-General of the Office of the Attorney General for the Protection of Rights and Legal Assistance to the Public, revealed that the Buriram Provincial Attorney's Office has received the petition. However, upon review, it was found that some documents were incomplete, so the teacher was asked to provide additional documents. Initial inquiries revealed that the teacher had previously been sued for bankruptcy and had reached a debt settlement. The Office of the Attorney General for the Protection of Rights and Legal Assistance is currently exploring ways to help the teacher move forward.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has proposed legislation, currently under consideration by Parliament, that would allow teachers who are declared bankrupt by a court in good faith to continue their employment. The public is also urged to consider their own financial capabilities before acting as a guarantor for anyone, and to assess whether they are able to afford the debt if necessary. Those seeking legal advice can contact the Office of Legal Protection and Assistance in every province or call the hotline 1157.