Narrow escape in school bomb
A security official guards students at Ban Bue Rang School in Narathiwat yesterday. The school reopened after a week’s closure following the brutal killing of teacher Prasarn Makchoo, 46, in front of his class. Only 60 per cent of students returned – many
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A bomb exploded in the grounds of a Narathiwat school yesterday morning, slightly injuring a security official. It has been closed indefinitely.
The attack occurred a week after a gunman shot dead a Narathiwat teacher in front of his class.
The home-made bomb was hidden under a tree in front of Ta Sae Nua school in Sungai Padi district, investigators said.
It detonated a few minutes after security officials had finished mowing grass in the school grounds.
Shrapnel from the bomb hit Sgt Thongkham Somset, 43, in the leg and partly destroyed a pick-up truck.
Police said they believed the bomb was remotely detonated by mobile phone. Muslim militants were suspected to be responsible.
The explosion terrified the 204 students and 13 teachers at Ta Sae Nua, according to school director Apinan Ekthananonth.
He was uncertain when it would reopen. "We must evaluate the situation with security officials first," he said.
Meanwhile, Ban Bue Rang School in Rusoh district reopened yesterday with a little more than half its students returning to class.
The school was closed for a week after Thai-language teacher Prasarn Makchoo, 46, was shot dead while teaching a primary fourth class.
Several students continued to suffer from trauma, acting director Adul Cheyeng said.
Separately, Mada-oh Latae,
38, was gunned down in an ambush in Rusoh district. An unknown number of militants opened fire with M-16 assault rifles.
More than 1,400 people have died since violence erupted in the three southernmost provinces more than two years ago following a raid on an Army camp.
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