Hua Hin Schools Practice Active Shooter Response Drills

Hua Hin Municipality held a classroom safety drill on August 18 at Hua Hin Municipal Khao Phitthak School in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Nopphorn Wuthikul, mayor of Hua Hin, attended alongside Vice Mayor Butsaba Choksuchat, police advisor Semao Yusamnoy, and municipal secretary Jeerawat Pramani to observe a demonstration of the emergency response plan for schools.

The drill featured Principal Kanjana Tavisak and Lieutenant Colonel Krajang Thongyaem, deputy police commander, who staged a scenario in which an armed intruder entered the school with a handgun and fired two shots into the air. Students responded by following protocol: when they heard the gunshots, they took shelter in designated safe spots within the classroom. As the intruder attempted to force the door open, the students emerged together, subdued the attacker, and controlled the situation until police motorcycle and vehicle patrols arrived to secure the suspect.

Mayor Nopphorn said the drill represents an effective classroom safety approach that Hua Hin Municipality calls 'Flee-Hide-Fight.' The 'Flee' phase means students should evacuate safely if possible. The 'Hide' phase requires students to take shelter in secure locations with limited visibility and remain calm. The 'Fight' phase is a last resort when neither fleeing nor hiding is possible; students work together to stop the threat using nearby objects as appropriate and control the situation until authorities arrive.

The mayor announced that Lieutenant Colonel Krajang and other officers will extend the drill program to six remaining municipal schools and two early-childhood development centers so that teachers, staff, and students gain systematic understanding of emergency response procedures. School principals will report their training results to the municipality.