Director of a Hat Yai school in Songkhla province, who was seriously injured during a shooting at the school yesterday afternoon, has succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
Sasipatchara Sinsamosorn, director of Phatong Prathan Kiriwat School in Patong sub-district, died at 2am from severe internal injuries and massive blood loss, Hat Yai Hospital director Viroj Yommuang said today.
She had been shot in the left chest and torso and doctors had tried their best to save her, Viroj said.
The perpetrator is an 18-year-old male who stormed into the school at about 5pm, just as classes were ending. Some students had already left, but others were still inside.
He was carrying a service pistol, which he had snatched from a police officer.
He allegedly opened fire inside the school premises, causing panic among students and teachers. The gunman held several teachers and students hostage on the ground floor.
Video clips that went viral showed students and teachers running for their lives from the compound, while gunshots and screams could be heard. Parents were seen on their phones desperately trying to reach their children.
The director was hailed as a hero after she told the assailant to take her in exchange for releasing others, according to local media.
She was shot after the gunman’s demand to meet a teacher was not met. Apart from the late director, a 14-year-old female student was injured when her left leg was hit by shrapnel. Her wounds were not serious and was treated with a soft cast and first aid.
A 16-year-old girl was also shot in the abdomen. The bullet passed through without hitting vital organs.
The gunman, who surrendered to police, suffered shrapnel wounds to the right temple and is in stable condition. Police say he suffered a seizure during the arrest.
The standoff ended at about 6pm.
Phatong Prathan Kiriwat School has announced a two-day closure, starting today, to allow forensics officers to collect further evidence.
Songkhla governor Ratthasart Chidchu said background checks show that the suspect had no criminal record but had previously received psychiatric treatment and was discharged from hospital in December 2025.
Before the school attack, police had gone to the suspect’s home to arrest him following complaints of violence. He resisted, attacked an officer with a knife and stole the officer’s service pistol, which he later used in the shooting.
