Teachers and Students in Fear as 16-Year-Old Armed with Knife Enters School During Lunch Break After Cannabis-Induced Mental Health Crisis
A 16-year-old high school student armed with a knife entered a school in Chachoengsao Province during lunch break after experiencing a cannabis-induced mental health crisis, prompting police response and hospitalization. School security mea
Teachers and students were left shaken when a 16-year-old wielding a knife entered the school during midday break, showing signs of a cannabis-induced mental health episode. Police found the teenager had a history of psychiatric treatment at Ta Takiap Hospital dating back to 2567 following cannabis use.
On May 22, 2569, police commander Chanyawit Khwakkan ordered deputy commander Manas Chantavad and other units to conduct a security inspection of Ban Nong Prayot School in Ta Takiap District, Chachoengsao Province to reassure the community.
The incident occurred at 1:07 p.m. when Ta Takiap Police received a report from the emergency radio center that a man was seen carrying a knife near the school. When officers arrived, the suspect had already left on a motorcycle. Residents told police that the youth usually came to pick up his younger brother who studies at the school. Upon tracking him home, officers found the 16-year-old identified as "A" (pseudonym), who had been receiving psychiatric treatment at Ta Takiap Hospital since 2567 for cannabis-induced mental illness. He has a five-year history of cannabis use and also uses methamphetamine.
Deputy Commander Manas Chantavad met with school principal Siam Saowkul and traumatized teachers. The principal explained that the teenager, a former student, became delusional during lunch break and arrived wielding a knife to threaten staff and students. Fortunately, the school had secured its gates with guards on duty and had previously conducted emergency response drills, which helped control the situation. Police responded within ten minutes of the alert.
Nearby residents and a vendor who witnessed and recorded the incident remain frightened, worried the youth may reoffend. They recalled hiding behind trash bins in panic and noted the suspect had displayed similar dangerous behavior since the Songkran period.
Police explained they followed proper procedures for detaining the mentally ill individual. The teenager was transferred to Ta Takiap Hospital for rehabilitation treatment, and police will conduct regular patrols in the area going forward.
