Though mass shootings of small children are relatively less frequent compared to other gun violence, they have a more profound effect on every aspect of life, including schools, families and communities. Grief has pervaded Thailand after Thursday’s tragedy in which 24 children were shot dead by a former policeman.
Here are some of the school shootings that have taken place across the world in the past four years:
The national flag will be flown at half-mast on Friday in mourning of those killed in the Nong Bua Lamphu massacre on Thursday.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also instructed the Interior and Social Development and Human Security ministries to provide psychiatric help to victims’ families.
The premier is also urging people to not share images and clips of the incident as it will be distressing for victims and their families.
Prayut has also ordered relevant government agencies to step up and oversee the investigation, blood collection, psychiatric help, transportation and compensation, etc.
The PM himself will visit the victims’ families on Friday, Anucha said.
He added that victims’ families will initially be provided with the following compensation from the PM’s Office:
Death: 200,000 baht
Severe injury: 100,000 baht
Disability: 200,000 baht
Non-serious injury: 50,000 baht
More compensation will be provided in line with the situation, Anucha said.
The shooting spree at the nursery in Uthai Sawan tambon administration organisation compound claimed 38 lives, including 24 children, and left 12 injured.
Police vow to tackle drug addiction within ranks after mass killing by ex-cop
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022
THE NATION
The Royal Thai Police have vowed to learn lessons after an ex-policemen thought to be high on drugs killed 38 people, mainly children, in Nong Bua Lamphu province on Thursday.
Panya Khamrab, 34, a former police corporal at Na Wang Police Station, went on a gun and knife rampage at a nursery in Uthai Sawan district on Thursday afternoon before killing his family and himself.
On Friday, the death toll from the massacre rose to 38. Twenty-four of the victims are children, including the killer’s son.
Police expect investigations to show that the killer was stressed and intoxicated with drugs, National Police chief Damrongsak Kittipraphat said.
He added that the force would respond by making efforts to tackle problems of drug addiction within its ranks.
“The police will take lessons learned from this incident, including tactics to tackle such incidents effectively and efforts to solve drug addiction issues,” he said.
The killer went on the rampage shortly after appearing in court on a drugs charge on Thursday morning, Damrongsak said.
The court was scheduled to issue its verdict in the case on Friday.
Panya had been dismissed from the force on June 15 for possessing methamphetamine.
His mother told police that after Thursday’s court appearance, her son had taken drugs before grabbing a gun and driving to the nursery.
The police chief said a blood test has been ordered on the killer’s body.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered police to set up a command centre and liaise with related agencies to relieve the suffering of victims’ relatives.
Thai media warned not to overstep line in reporting nursery massacre
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022
THE NATION
Thailand’s journalism associations have warned media to be careful when reporting on the massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu.
Media should refrain from publishing accounts and photos that add to the suffering of relatives of the victims, said a statement issued by the National Press Council of Thailand, News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, and Society for Online News Providers.
The statement came after Panya Khamrab, a 34-year-old former police corporal, went on a shooting rampage at a nursery on Thursday afternoon before killing his family and himself.
On Friday, the death toll from the massacre rose to 38. Twenty-four of the victims are children, including the killer’s son.
The three press associations issued a four-point advisory statement to:
– Avoid publishing photos of the victims’ bodies that could cause further distress.
– Be careful before asking questions and publishing images that could distress victims’ relatives or condemn the killer.
– Be careful in publishing accounts of the killer and victims’ past that may lead to long-term distress for victims’ relatives.
– Be cautious about publishing information about the killer, including his actions during the incident, his criminal record, or his behaviour before the incident.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) also urged media reporting on the massacre to maintain journalistic ethics and strictly abide by laws on child protection, personal information protection and computer crime.
NBTC warned that victims’ relatives can sue media outlets that overstep the line under Section 37 of the Broadcasting and Television Businesses Act.
UN children’s agency expresses ‘shock, sadness, condolences’ over nursery massacre
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022
THE NATION
The United Nations children’s agency, Unicef, has joined foreign embassies in offering condolences over the massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu province on Thursday.
Unicef said it was “saddened and shocked by the tragic shooting incident”, which claimed at least 38 lives, most of them young children at a nursery in the Northeast province.
“Unicef condemns all forms of violence against children. No child should be a target or witness of violence anywhere, anytime,” the agency said in a statement.
“Early childhood development centres, schools and all learning spaces must be safe havens for young children to learn, play and grow during their most critical years.”
Unicef also offered condolences to the victims’ families and urged the public and media to refrain from sharing photos of the attack out of respect for the grieving families.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked and saddened by the horrific massacre, according to his spokesperson.
“The secretary-general extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) also expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families.
“Attacks on schools, students and educators, are attacks on rights to education”, the agency tweeted. “No one should be a target.”
A message from UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, posted on Facebook by the British Embassy in Bangkok on Thursday, said: “I am shocked to hear of the horrific events in Thailand this morning. My thoughts are with all those affected and the first responders. The UK stands with the Thai people at this terrible time.”
The Australian Embassy in Thailand also posted a Twitter message sent by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“It’s impossible to comprehend the heartbreak of this horrific news from Thailand,” wrote Albanese. “All Australians send their love and condolences.”
The US Embassy in Bangkok also released a statement on Thursday:
“The embassy is saddened by the tragic event in Nong Bua Lamphu province. We stand with the people of Thailand and offer our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.”
Police said at least 38 people including 24 children were killed after a gunman burst into the nursery at Uthai Sawan Tambon Administration Organisation office just after midday on Thursday. Another 10 persons were injured, eight of whom are in critical condition.
The shooter, identified as former policeman Panya Khamrab, later committed suicide at his house on Thursday after killing his wife, son and two other relatives.
Families of massacre victims eligible for up to THB110,000 each in compensation
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022
THE NATION
The Justice Ministry will provide compensation of up to 110,000 baht for each of the 38 victims of Thursday’s massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin on Thursday ordered officials from the Northeast province’s Justice Office to visit families of the victims.
The massacre by a former policeman claimed 38 lives, including 24 children at nursery in Na Klang district, earlier on Thursday. It ended when the shooter turned the gun on himself after murdering his wife and son at their home.
Under the Crime Victims Compensation Act, families of those killed in the massacre are eligible for compensation payments of up to 110,000 baht each, Somsak said. This amount comprises 50,000 baht for death, 20,000 baht for funeral expenses, and 40,000 baht for loss of family earnings.
Those injured in the attack are entitled to a maximum 40,000 baht compensation for medical treatment and up to 20,000 baht for mental and physical rehabilitation costs. They will also receive compensation for loss of earnings at the local daily minimum wage of 315 baht, as well as up to 50,000 baht for other damage.
Somsak said he had ordered officials to approve and disburse the compensation as quickly as possible.
Their Majesties to visit injured victims of Nong Bua Lamphu massacre
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022
THE NATION
Their Majesties the King and Queen will visit people injured in the massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu province on Friday.
Their Majesties are expected to arrive at Udon Thani airport in the evening before heading to Nong Bua Lamphu and Udon Thani hospitals.
Thursday’s gun and knife attack by a former policeman began at a nursery in Na Klang district and ended with 38 dead, including 24 children. Ten people were injured in the attack, eight of whom are in critical condition.
The shooter was identified as former police officer Panya Khamrab, who later committed suicide at his house on Thursday after killing his wife, son and two other relatives.
On Thursday evening, Privy Council president and former PM General Surayud Chulanont arrived in Nong Bua Lamphu to visit the injured and oversee operations. He said HM the King will provide support to all victims and their families.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies and state enterprises to fly the national flag at half-mast on Friday.
PM Prayut expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and asked Thais to support each other so they could bear the hours of loss and cruelty together, said Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri on Thursday.
Quick public response to hospital’s plea for blood donations after Nong Bua Lamphu massacre
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2022
THE NATION
Many people responded quickly to the plea for blood donations by Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital to help victims of the shooting spree by a former policeman.
The hospital posted on its Facebook wall at about 3.50pm the need for blood and and about an hour later, the hospital announced that it had received enough blood for the day.
The shooting spree at the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administration Organisation and its nursery in Na Klang district saw 36 people killed, including 24 children. Twelve others were injured.
The hospital added that those who want to donate blood can contact the hospital in the following days as many victims are still being treated.
Criminologist suggests teaching the public survival skills, as mass shootings ‘no longer foreign to Thai society’
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2022
A Thai criminologist on Thursday suggested that members of the public be trained in how to survive a mass shooting as “it is no longer foreign to Thai society”.
Assoc Prof Krisanaphong Poothakool, dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Criminology and Justice Administration, said that the private sector should place importance on training survival skills after recent mass shootings.
“There must be frequent drills on how to survive such incidents. Organisation executives have to set this as their policy,” he said.
“We have to admit that mass shooting is no longer foreign to Thai society,” he added.
Krisanaphong pointed to the massacre at a shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima province in February 2020. A disgruntled soldier of the Royal Thai Army killed 29 people and wounded 58 others during his shooting spree. He was eventually shot dead by police commandos.
The criminologist also suggested that police and military officers who were dismissed from duties due to a history of violence should be restricted in their weapon possession.
His comments came after Thursday’s massacre by a former policeman, who shot dead at least 36 people — including 24 children — during his gun rampage in Nong Bua Lamphu province.
Krisanaphong is himself a former police officer, having served for over two decades in the police force and his last rank was lieutenant colonel.
In August, Chulalongkorn University hosted a training session on “Run, Hide, Fight: A Response to Active Shooters”, teaching participants to identify potential threats of a mass shooting and how to respond.
If possible, they should run away from the threat as soon as possible. If not, they should hide at a place they believe is the safest for them in that situation. If necessary, they may have to fight with the perpetrator to survive.
Law Society offers to help families of shooting spree victims seek compensation from government
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2022
THE NATION
The Law Society of Thailand has offered to help families of the victims of Thursday’s shooting spree in Nong Bua Lamphu, allegedly by a sacked policeman, to seek compensation from the Justice Ministry.
Weerasak Chotewanit, the spokesman of the Law Society of Thailand, the president of the lawyer profession council, Wichian Chupthaisong, told the council to get ready to help families of those killed and injured in the incident at the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administration Organisation and its nursery in Na Klang district.
As of 3pm on Thursday, the Royal Thai Police updated the death toll at 36, saying 24 children and 12 adults were killed, including the alleged gunman, his wife and his son. Twelve others were injured.
The spokesman said lawyers from the council would assist the families to file complaints to receive compensation for deaths and injuries from the Justice Ministry based on the crime victims compensation act.
Weerasak said the victims are entitled to receive compensation for medical bills and the cost of physical and mental rehabilitation.
Families of the killed victims would also be entitled to receive compensation for deaths, and the injured victims would receive compensation for being unable to work and for other damage.
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