A secondary education student was fatally stabbed by a classmate at a municipal school in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district this morning. The victim died shortly after arriving at hospital.

Suan Luang district director Bancha Suebkraphan told Thai PBS that the apparently unprovoked attack took place at about 8.40am, as the students were lining up in front of the flag pole for the daily flag-raising ritual.

He said that the victim, a 9th year (Mathayom 2) student, was stabbed by a classmate, who is a “special child”, a term used for children who have special needs, adding that there was no quarrel reported prior to the stabbing. He also said that the victim was pronounced dead at about 10.20am.

A teacher admitted he does not know how or from where the suspect got hold of the kitchen knife, as he insisted that the school screens students, to prevent them from carrying arms into the school compound.

Classes resumed as normal and the parents of the perpetrator have been informed of the incident and invited to the school, said the director.

The suspect is being held at Khlong Ton police station, as police await the arrival of his parents and child welfare officials, who are legally required to be present during police questioning.

Informed of the incident, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt questioned how a student was able to access a knife at the school and ordered a tightening up of security checks, to prevent students from bringing weapons into any municipal school.

He is scheduled to visit the school today.