Teacher Phassara Mourned After Senseless Shooting; Father Demands Maximum Punishment, Not Mercy
Teacher Phassara, 44, was shot and killed by a drug-intoxicated motorcycle driver in Ayutthaya on April 27; her father demands maximum punishment and refuses mercy for the senseless attack.
A somber atmosphere filled Wat Ratchabumrung temple in Ayutthaya on April 27, 2025, as mourners gathered to pay respects to teacher Phassara, 44, who was shot and killed by Sarawuth, 35, a drug-intoxicated motorcycle driver who had crashed and became delusional. Phassara, an instructor at Wat Sukanthaaram School, was killed while sitting in her parked car with two of her children near a roadside home. Family, relatives, colleagues, and students continuously arrived to pay their condolences as her body, dressed in a proper khaki teacher's uniform, was brought from the Justice Ministry's forensic institute in Pathum Thani.
Phassara is survived by her parents and three children: an 18-year-old son, a 10-year-old daughter, and a 2-year-old daughter. Psychological support was provided to the family. At 3 p.m., Ayutthaya Governor Chawanin Wongsatitjiraka and District Chief Theerapmeth Tepvichaisalakul presided over the water-pouring ceremony attended by numerous government officials, teachers, and residents.
The governor announced that relevant agencies would provide comprehensive assistance to the victim's family. The provincial justice office will process compensation under the Criminal Victim Compensation Act, with initial aid estimated at 300,000 baht. Educational scholarships will be arranged for the three school-age children, and local health and social development agencies will provide ongoing psychological care.
Phassara's 76-year-old father, Phayong, revealed that his daughter was hardworking and determined, working in a factory before becoming a teacher through her own dedication. He expressed deep concern for his three young grandchildren and firmly stated he would not accept an apology from the perpetrator, having no prior acquaintance, as his daughter did nothing wrong. He demanded strict legal punishment, noting such incidents occur frequently.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Prinyachai Tongmaa, Ladbualuang Station Commander, confirmed that witnesses and victims' relatives have been interviewed. The suspect faces multiple charges including premeditated murder, attempted murder, unlicensed firearms possession, unauthorized carrying of weapons in public, reckless discharge of a firearm in a residential area, and property damage. Preliminary findings indicate the suspect has a drug addiction history and may have consumed large quantities, causing hallucinations, believing he was being attacked before opening fire following his motorcycle crash.
