Thai policeman shoots dead teacher wife at kindergarten

Bangkok, Thailand - A police officer fatally shot his teacher wife at the kindergarten where she taught on Wednesday, but all the children are safe, authorities said. After the shooting in Chonburi province, southeast of Bangkok, the suspect returned home, where police were negotiating his surrender. This is the latest shooting incident in Thailand, following a recent case where a teenager killed his grandparents and five staff members at his school before taking his own life.

Sayan Klomaon, chairman of Nong Pla Lai sub-district council, explained that the gunman, a local police officer, arrived at the school around 10:30 AM and conversed with his wife before opening fire. The incident occurred outside the classroom, and none of the students witnessed it. He stated that the gunman then left to return home, and since then, all 44 children and three staff members have been safely evacuated.

Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong confirmed the evacuation via Facebook, stating that police have surrounded the gunman's residence and are currently negotiating his surrender.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the governor has ordered the kindergarten to be closed. Psychological support will be provided to children and staff who witnessed the incident. Following a similar incident in 2022, where an ex-policeman with a gun and knife killed 24 children and 12 adults at a nursery in northern Thailand, authorities have emphasized that Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region. Despite past promises to tighten gun laws, repeated shootings continue to occur.