Caretaker principal Adul Cheyeng said all 209 students were still traumatised, particularly the primary 4 students who saw their Thai language teacher Prasarn Makchoo shot dead.

"Several students are still in shock. Some break into tears when the incident and the dead teacher are mentioned," Adul said.

He said closing the school would allow staff to discuss security with officials and to introduce measures to prevent further attacks. It would also allow the remaining 13 teachers to recuperate from the tragedy.

Yesterday the school was quiet and deserted as no teachers or students had turned up. A reporter from The Nation observed that the entrance was locked with a padlock and chain.

On Monday morning, a gunman disguised in a school uniform shot dead Prasarn while he was teaching his class.

Pairaj Saengthong, director of Narathiwat education zone 1, said a group of provincial psychologists would assess the mental health of the pupils.

He said 10 neighbouring schools would also be closed for one week. The reopening of Ban Bue Rang School would depend on its administrators.

Initial assistance for Prasarn's family would include a grant of Bt500,000 and a scholarship for his two children until they finish their bachelor degrees.

Teachers at Ban Bue Rang School and other schools in the area would be allowed to ask for relocation, he said.

Prasarn is the 44th teacher to have lost his life since violence broke out in the three southernmost provinces in early 2004. His death has increased fears that authorities are incapable of properly protecting teachers assigned to the restive region.

The Nation