{
  "id": 352500,
  "title": "Ex-foreign English teacher posts gun threats, Hatyai school shifts online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/ex-foreign-english-teacher-posts-gun-threats-hatyai-school-shifts",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T06:12:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Khaosod English",
    "slug": "khaosod-english",
    "url": "https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2026/08/09/ex-foreign-english-teacher-posts-gun-threats-hatyai-school-shifts-online/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hatyaiwittayalai School in Songkhla will transition to online classes from August 10-11 due to alleged threats made by a former foreign English teacher on social media. The South African instructor's contract was terminated on July 24 for behavior that violated the terms of his employment. Following his dismissal, the ex-teacher allegedly posted gun images, messages, and audio clips in a LINE chat group, which raised concerns among school officials, students, and parents.\n\nThe school immediately reported the incident to the Hat Yai Police Station and contemplated legal action to ensure the safety of its community. To protect students, staff, and prevent any potential harm, the institution temporarily shifted to online learning. The Hat Yai Police, in collaboration with Songkhla immigration authorities, verified the ex-teacher's whereabouts and found that he had left Thailand on July 19, with no indication of his return. Moreover, they confirmed that his former residence was unoccupied.\n\nPolice authorities are reinforcing security measures around the school and other pertinent locations while legal proceedings are in motion. The school has also received guidance to bolster its security protocols and prepare for potential risks. It advised students, parents, and staff to adhere to official updates and diligently verify information before sharing it, in order to prevent confusion or panic.",
  "summary": "Hatyaiwittayalai School in Songkhla will switch to online classes on 10-11 August following alleged threats by a former foreign English teacher who posted images of guns and threatening messages online after his contract was terminated. The school said on 8 August that it had terminated the contract of a South African teacher in its English […] The post Ex-foreign English teacher posts gun…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Civil Affairs details steps to correct English name online via Absher",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/civil-affairs-details-steps-to-correct-english-name-online-via-absher",
        "published": "2026-08-09T11:59:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}