CHONBURI: A kindergarten teacher was shot dead on school grounds in the Banglamung district on Wednesday morning in front of young pupils, police said, as officers later surrounded a nearby house and tried to negotiate the surrender of a police officer identified as the suspected gunman.
Police were alerted at about 10:30 a.m. on September 9th that someone had been shot inside Nong Pla Lai Municipal Kindergarten in Moo 3, Nong Pla Lai subdistrict, Bang Lamung, Chonburi. Officers from Banglamung Police Station, led by Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, rushed to the scene with investigators, patrol units and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Pattaya.
The two-storey school was in session at the time. Forty-four kindergarten pupils and four teachers and caregivers were inside. Officers first secured the building, then evacuated the children. None of the pupils were injured, though many were described as frightened. Parents were later called to collect them, and classes were suspended.
On a ground-floor walkway outside a classroom, police found the body of Pailin Thongthatch, 48, known to colleagues as Teacher Ple, a homeroom kindergarten teacher at the school. Investigators said she had been shot once in the back of the head with a 9mm pistol and died at the scene. A 9mm cartridge casing was recovered near the body.
Witnesses said they heard a single gunshot. Teachers immediately locked classroom doors to protect the children. About 20 minutes later, staff came out and found Pailin lying in a pool of blood before calling police and rescue teams.
Somyot Sanguanworaphong, 57, told officers he saw a man park a sedan, walk up to the teacher and speak with her. A shot then rang out. The incident happened so quickly that people nearby ducked for cover. The man returned to a white sedan and drove away.
Police later identified the suspected shooter as Pol. Sub-Lt. Thassaphong Thongthatch, also known as Moad Phong, a Class 53 police officer assigned to the Nong Ket checkpoint under Banglamung Police Station. Investigators said he was the victim’s husband and that jealousy or a marital dispute was the likely motive. Early reports also described a possible love-triangle conflict.
Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong, the Banglamung district chief and the mayor of Nong Pla Lai municipality later joined police at the scene. The governor ordered the school closed and directed counseling support for children and staff who witnessed the shooting.
After leaving the kindergarten, the suspect was reported to have gone to a house about three kilometers away. Pol. Col. Sarawut led armed officers in surrounding the residence and attempting to persuade him to put down his weapon and surrender. Relatives, including a son, were also asked to help with negotiations. As of the latest reports, he had not come out. Police said they would provide further updates as the standoff continued.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
