Foreign Teacher Flees Thailand After Gun Threats
A South African English teacher at Hatyai Wittayalai School in Songkhla province fled Thailand on July 19 after sending gun threat messages to staff via LINE. The school suspended classes and heightened security following the incident.
A South African English teacher employed in the school's English Program has left the country since July 19 at 2:39 p.m. through the Padang Besar border checkpoint, following threats sent via LINE messaging that included images of firearms. The former teacher, identified as Mr. Pieter, targeted staff and administrators at Hatyai Wittayalai School in Songkhla province. The school immediately suspended in-person classes and shifted to online instruction for safety.
Police from Hatyai Station have confirmed the teacher's departure. Security has been heightened around the school, with continuous patrols and entry restrictions in place. The school has announced online classes for August 10–11 and is conducting an urgent review of the incident.
The school principal has filed a report regarding the distribution of firearm images and threatening messages. The former teacher had previously made allegations on social media concerning wages, social security contributions, contract guarantees, budget management, and flood damage reporting.
Hatyai Wittayalai School has issued a statement denying the accusations and asserting that all financial procedures comply with regulations. Students who knew the teacher described him as friendly and kind, though they were shocked by the threatening content and images he distributed.
