Alleged gun threat by sacked teacher forces Thai school with 3,600 pupils to close

Hatyaiwittayalai School, a secondary institution in Songkhla province, Thailand, is temporarily closed due to an alleged gun-related threat by a former teacher. The school, which houses approximately 3,600 students and 250 staff members, will remain closed from Monday to Tuesday as a precautionary measure.

The situation unfolded after Pieter Johannes Dreyer, a South African national and former English-language teacher, allegedly posted threatening images and messages on a school chat group. Reports indicate that Dreyer left Thailand on July 19, and his employment was officially terminated on July 24 for breach of contract.

Thitiwit Meechooworapong, the school director, announced the closure on Saturday night, emphasizing the need to protect the school community, including students, teachers, and management. The school's administration deemed Dreyer's posts threatening, and they have filed a complaint with the Hat Yai police.

Dreyer's presence on school grounds is no longer a concern, as he was blacklisted by immigration authorities following the alleged incident.