Thai schools hold shooting response drills after deadly attack

Thai schools have begun conducting active shooter drills as authorities move to bolster security measures, two weeks after a tragic incident where a 14-year-old student killed at least eight people in a school attack.

At Surasamontree School in Bangkok, students participated in a "run, hide, fight" exercise. In the drill, a police officer, armed with a handgun and assault rifle firing blanks, simulated an attacker. Students practiced fleeing the gunman, hiding under tables, and securing locked doors. In one scenario, students even tackled and subdued the mock attacker after he entered a classroom.

“

Every school is responding because this is a new-age threat that can happen anywhere.

These drills follow a directive issued on August 10 by Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, which mandates all schools to develop security plans and rehearse emergency response procedures. Visitsak Vipattanamongkol, superintendent of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit at the police's Patrol and Special Operations Division, stated, "Every school is responding because this is a new-age threat that can happen anywhere."

“

Every school is on alert, adjusting their plans, and preparing so students can respond to incidents and threats of all forms.

He added, "Every school is on alert, adjusting their plans, and preparing so students can respond to incidents and threats of all forms." In addition to the drills, the school has intensified daily security checks, employing metal detectors and bag searches. Teachers demonstrated confiscated items, including sharp objects, to highlight the importance of vigilance.

Onitcha Kochana, director of Surasamontree School, expressed her satisfaction with the training, believing it equips students with crucial knowledge and awareness. "I'm impressed and really like this training, because it gives students knowledge and awareness," Kochana said. "They can take what they learned today and use it to handle the situation, turning something serious into something less severe."

“

I'm impressed and really like this training, because it gives students knowledge and awareness. They can take what they learned today and use it to handle the situation, turning something serious into something less severe.