Thammasat University yesterday fired a lecturer accused of sexual harassment by a female student.

It announced measures to prevent similar offences in the future.

Thammasat rector Prof Surapol Nitikraipot says the university fired Kamtorn Cherdchukiat, 33, from the Faculty of Engineering. It's appointed a committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment.

Surapol and faculty dean, Assoc Prof Uruya Wassakul, yesterday apologised to the public in wake of the scandal.

"We are sorry for what has happened and offer apologies to the public," the rector says.

Kamtorn was arrested on Wednesday after a female student complained to police Children, Juveniles and Women Division. She accused him of having offered a better grade in exchange for oral sex.

Investigators say another female student has contacted them with similar allegations against Kamtorn.

Urgent meeting

Thammasat deputy rector Siriporn Khampalikhit says following an urgent meeting of top university officials yesterday, new regulations have been issued to prevent similar cases in the future.

These include removing curtains and blinds from lecturers' offices and banning one-to-one private consultations between lecturers and students.

This article was first published in The Daily Xpress on Apr 25, 2008.