BANGKOK, Thailand – United Thai Nation Party deputy spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan has called for stronger school safety and student mental-health measures after three separate incidents of violence at educational institutions were reported in a single day. Sasikarn warned that the most serious concern is the possibility of copycat behaviour, which could lead to further violence at schools elsewhere in Thailand if effective prevention systems are not put in place.
She said the incidents exposed gaps in school security and systems for supporting the mental health of children and young people. The cases included a 14-year-old Grade 9 student accused of opening fire at a school in Nonthaburi, a student assault involving a firearm threat at a school in the Samsen area, and a prominent school in southern Thailand temporarily switching to online classes after a foreign former contract teacher posted threatening images involving firearms. “The most frightening issue is not only the incidents themselves, but the possibility that other children may see them and develop copycat behaviour if the state does not have effective prevention systems,” Sasikarn said.
She urged the government to improve screening and monitoring of students considered at risk, rather than relying mainly on assessment forms that are completed and filed without meaningful follow-up. She said reports that the latest suspect had experienced academic stress and previously posted images of firearms online should be treated as potential warning signs requiring serious attention. Sasikarn also called on the Ministry of Education to establish permanent school psychologist positions. Many schools have large numbers of students but limited counselling staff, who are often responsible for numerous other duties, making it difficult to provide adequate support to vulnerable students.
She proposed that every school conduct mandatory emergency-response drills at least twice a year, similar to fire drills. She also called for independent channels for reporting violence, separate from school administrators, so students and staff can report concerns safely and allow cases to be properly investigated. For the Ministry of Public Health, she proposed a long-term recovery programme lasting at least one year for affected students, teachers and families. She also called for stronger coordination between the Education and Public Health ministries so students identified as being at risk can receive professional treatment and support.
Sasikarn further noted that the firearm used in the latest incident was reportedly legally owned and stored at home rather than an illegal weapon. She said the government should therefore review household firearm-storage regulations and strengthen measures to prevent children and young people from accessing firearms. “Whenever violence occurs, we often hear that measures will be upgraded. But what society needs are measurable targets, clear deadlines and accountable people,” she said. Sasikarn stressed that school safety cannot be treated as the responsibility of individual schools alone and requires coordinated action across government agencies to prevent violence in educational institutions from becoming normalised in Thai society. “Schools must be safe places for children, teachers and parents,” she said.
