Thailand video news | Thailand sets 90-day deadline for new school safety rules, Homeless Norwegian set to return home after 1,179-day overstay

Thailand video news | Thai ministries given 90 days to implement new school safety standards, Norwegian man with overstay visa set for repatriation

Following the tragic school shooting in Nonthaburi, Thai authorities have imposed a 90-day deadline for four government ministries to develop nationwide school safety standards. The framework will cover mental health assessments, emergency drills, bullying prevention, CCTV surveillance, and stricter checks on individuals and prohibited items entering schools.

The Debsirin Nonthaburi School remains closed, with psychological support teams aiding students, teachers, and parents as classes resume. Officials aim to train educators to identify potential threats and implement confidential reporting channels and searches of belongings when necessary.

Thailand has been ranked second in Southeast Asia for firearm-related crime, behind the Philippines. The Global Burden of Disease study from 2019 revealed the concerning statistics, which have gained renewed attention after the Nonthaburi incident. While Thailand boasts relatively strict firearm laws compared to some neighboring countries, the assailant's acquisition of the weapon remains under investigation.

The Thai government has explained its decision to send a Cell Broadcast warning during the school shooting without an audible alarm. Officials opted to avoid disclosing the locations of those hiding from the attacker, emphasizing the importance of discretion in such emergencies. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation sent the alert to phones within approximately five kilometers of the school, instructing individuals to stay away from the area.

Meanwhile, a former teacher in Songkhla has caused alarm after allegedly posting gun threats against his former employer, Hatyaiwittayalai School. Pieter Johannes Dreyer, a South African contract teacher, was dismissed from his position due to salary, Social Security, and employment condition disputes. Allegedly, Dreyer shared firearm images, audio recordings, and provocative messages via the messaging app Line after his dismissal.

Though he had already left Thailand, school security remains heightened, and police are investigating the situation.