Heroic Thai teacher thwarts armed intruder: Calls for improved school safety measures in Thailand

A heroic teacher, who defended students and faculty from an armed intruder, has drawn praise from the government.

Thawatchai Duangtham, a teaching assistant at Ban Nam Phu Hin Lat School in Chaiyaphum in northeast Thailand, bravely fought off an armed intruder, sustaining injuries to his hand and arm in the process. Deputy government spokesperson, Kaenika Unjit, commended his courage and sacrifice.

“Without such teachers, students or others could have been harmed or even greater losses might have occurred.”

However, the incident has also highlighted the need for increased vigilance in safety measures for students, teachers, and educational staff at schools across the country. The government is acutely aware of the need for such precautions.

Previously, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Ministry of Education, mandated all educational institutions under the ministry’s jurisdiction to strictly implement safety measures both inside and outside schools.

These measures aim to prevent and respond to violent incidents, as well as any form of threat within educational institutions. The emphasis is also on creating a conducive learning and teaching environment, which not only encourages student attendance but also positively impacts their academic performance and teachers’ mental health, reported KhaoSod.

In the shocking incident, the deranged man, wielding a knife, chased teachers and students around the school’s flagpole. The teachers and students managed to escape, but not without injuries.

If students, teachers, parents, and the public notice anything abnormal that could jeopardize safety, they can report it to the Ministry of Education’s Safety Centre (MOE Safety Center).

There are four ways to report incidents: the MOE Safety Center application, the website http:// www.MOESafetyCenter.com, LINE @MOESafetyCenter, and Call Center 0-2126-6565. Officials will follow up on the information and coordinate help promptly. Read the original story HERE.

In related news, PM Srettha met with Thai students at Stanford University, encouraging them to return and work in Thailand. The 61 year old Thai PM believes that the future will see leading companies investing in the nation, and providing employment opportunities. Read more about this story HERE.