Father allegedly fires gun after row with teacher at Nakhon Ratchasima school

A primary school in Nakhon Ratchasima suspended classes for two days after a father allegedly fired two gunshots into the air following an argument with a teacher about his child’s ability to read and do basic addition.

The incident took place at Ban Na Dee School in Sikhio district at about 3.20pm on Monday, 2 November, shortly before pupils were due to leave for the day. Police later arrested the suspect after he left the school in a pickup truck.

Dispute during school collection

Police identified the suspect as Manachai Chanthasom, 54, a local resident whose child attends the school. Sikhio Police Station superintendent Pol. Col. Thatchaphon Chinwong said the father had arrived to collect his child before becoming involved in an argument with a teacher, according to Khaosod English.

The preliminary police account said the dispute concerned the father’s complaint that his child could neither read nor perform simple addition. That account describes the subject of the confrontation, rather than an independently established assessment of the child’s abilities.

Police said the father was intoxicated and became angry before allegedly firing two shots into the air with a .38-calibre handgun.

Arrest after suspect left school

The suspect allegedly drove away in a pickup truck to a public area in the village, where officers subsequently arrested him and seized the firearm.

He faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a firearm in a public place without reasonable cause, and drink-driving. The account remains a preliminary police description of the incident, rather than a court finding.

Classes suspended for two days

Ban Na Dee is a small primary school with approximately 30 pupils and seven teachers, located in a relatively isolated agricultural area. Reporters visiting on Tuesday, 3 November, found it closed following the incident, with classes suspended for two days.

The closure is the immediate practical consequence for families whose children attend the school.

Apilak Kanna, 23, whose nephew is a pupil there, expressed shock and concern for the safety of children, teachers and parents. He said schools should be safe places and warned that incidents of this kind could frighten pupils and affect their concentration.

He called for stronger security, including closer monitoring of visitors and parents entering the premises. Those measures were a relative’s recommendation, not an announced school policy.