Hat Yai –
A 17-year-old male suspect was arrested after storming into Patong Prathan Khiriwat School in Hat Yai district in Songkhla , opening fire and taking hostages in a violent incident that left three people injured. The attack began around 4:00 p.m. and was brought under control by security forces shortly after 6:15 p.m.
Authorities reported that the teenager, described as mentally unstable and recently discharged from psychiatric care, assaulted a police officer with a knife before seizing a 9mm handgun. He then entered the school premises, where he shot and injured the principal and a female student, while another student was hurt attempting to escape by jumping from a building. The suspect also held hostages during a later standoff.
Victims
- Mrs. Sasiphat Sinsomsorn, the school principal, was shot in the chest and rushed to Hat Yai Hospital for emergency surgery.
- A 15-year-old female student sustained a gunshot wound to the waist and was treated at Songklanagarind Hospital.
- Another female student suffered injuries to her chin and neck after leaping from a classroom window in panic. She is also under medical care at Songklanagarind Hospital.
The suspect himself was also injured during the confrontation and taken to Hat Yai Hospital before being placed under police custody.
The operation was led by Lt. Gen. Narathip Poinok, Commander of the Fourth Army Region, alongside Songkhla Governor Rattasat Chidchu, who personally oversaw the crisis response. Police and military units surrounded the school, eventually subduing the gunman and rescuing the hostages.
Officials revealed that the suspect had a history of psychiatric treatment linked to substance abuse and was discharged from Songkhla Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital in December 2025. Investigators noted that his younger sister is a student at the same school, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Songkhla Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Teerasak Chaiyotha confirmed that three victims were injured, two seriously. He added that the investigation is ongoing to determine whether the suspect’s actions were driven by personal grievances against school staff.
In response, the Songkhla Provincial Education Office announced a two-day suspension of classes at the school to allow forensic teams to collect evidence and to reassess security protocols across the province’s educational institutions.
