PUBLISHED : 24 Nov 2023 at 04:00
The government has praised a teacher at a primary school in Chaiyaphum whose quick thinking helped save around 100 young students from an intruder who attacked the school during the morning assembly on Wednesday.
Deputy government spokeswoman, Kenika Ounjit, yesterday said Thawatchai Duangtham deserves praise for his courage and dedication to the students of Ban Namphu Hinlard School in Khon San district.
“He protected the students and fought off the deranged intruder, which resulted in injuries to his arms and hands,” she said.
“Without him, more students and staff could be affected [by the incident].”
The 32-year-old physical education teacher said the intruder arrived at the school on a motorcycle, wielding a machete, at the end of the morning assembly.
As the man began charging towards the students, Mr Thawatchai said he sprang into action and told the students to flee into the school’s buildings. When he realised two students weren’t going to make it to safety, he stood between the attacker and the children.
The intruder then tried to slash him with the machete but missed, Mr Thawatchai said, adding he sustained minor injuries to his right hand and elbow.
Nearby villagers shouted at the attacker from the school’s fences, and he escaped on his motorcycle, the teacher said.
“I was afraid and felt sorry for the children because they were crying, screaming and running in all directions,” the teacher said.
Sombat Traisak, acting governor, said there are more than 500 people with psychological issues in Chaiyaphum, and officials will look for suspects by reviewing the hospital’s medical records.