Asst Prof Chakkrit Utharo at a police station to face charges yesterday.

Sexually harassed students urged to file complaints on websites

Sexually harassed students can make complaints over the Internet, according to the Higher Education Commission.

The move follows recent complaints from a Ubon Rat-chathani University student that a lecturer offered her better marks for sex.

Information submitted to clean.mua.go.th will be kept confidential until it is verified, according to commission secretary-general Sumeth Yaem-noon. Complainants' names will be withheld, too.

Sumeth says he's asked other Ubon Ratchathani students to come forward if they too have been harassed. The university will then investigate before forwarding the allegations to the commission.

Council in a spot

Council of University Pre-sidents of Thailand president Monthon Sa-nguansoemsi says it's concerned at the allegation and will discuss it at its August meeting. He says teacher recruitment should be more thorough.

He wants the commission to screen claims carefully to make sure it is not sent maliciously.

Chulalongkorn University's Sompong Jitradap says the Ubon Ratchathani student feels isolated and pressured because is prepared to speak up about her case. He wants the university to assist her.

Meanwhile, Suan Dusit Uni-versity's Sukhum Chaloeysap proposes an amendment to the higher education conduct code that punishes sexually harassing teachers more severely by preventing them from working again.

Ubon Ratchathani University president Prakob Wirojanagud says the investigation will be impartial.