Thailand Launches 90-Day School Safety Plan After Shooting
Thailand's government launched a 90-day school safety plan following a fatal shooting at a Bangkok-area school, introducing stricter mental health screening, tougher anti-bullying measures, and weapons checks across all schools.
BANGKOK — Five Thai ministries are coordinating a 90-day national school safety standard in response to a fatal shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. The plan includes tougher mental health screening, a zero-tolerance bullying policy, and stricter weapons and prohibited item checks.
The plan was discussed at an inter-ministerial meeting on 8 August at the Ministry of Education, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat. Attendees included Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, Social Development and Human Security Minister Nikorn Somklang, Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat, and representatives from the Ministry of Public Health.
The shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School left several people dead and injured when a student allegedly used a firearm against teachers and fellow students. Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan stressed that all agencies must work to restore public confidence and ensure every child is safe at school.
The plan is divided into two main areas: immediate measures for school reopening and a longer-term national school safety standard.
The emergency "school reopening plan" includes six immediate measures: establishing nationwide mental health assistance channels through hotlines 1300 and 1323, deploying mental health volunteer teams to affected schools, temporarily closing classrooms where incidents occurred, establishing designated parent observation areas with security registration, allowing traumatized teachers and students to transfer to other schools, and introducing temporary screening for illegal items at school entrances.
The "National School Safety Standard" to be developed within 90 days will include regular mental health screening for students and teachers, an effective referral system for at-risk students to specialist doctors, and a "Train the Trainer" programme for guidance and homeroom teachers to improve their ability to assess students and provide basic psychological support.
