Lat lum kaeo: Twenty schools have been temporarily closed following an incident involving a man carrying a firearm. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has taken immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff, as the armed individual remains at large.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Phattarawan Phattarabowornwut, Deputy Secretary-General of OBEC, confirmed the closure of schools in Lat Lum Kaeo District due to the incident on February 18, 2026. The closure affects 16 primary schools and 4 secondary schools, with the initial suspension of classes set for one day to allow authorities to monitor the situation. The provincial governor has directed security agencies to conduct a comprehensive search of the area and implement rigorous preventative measures.
The situation is under daily assessment, and the expectation is that the closures will not interfere with final exams. Should schools reopen, plans are in place to hold make-up classes. In the meantime, security measures are heightened at boarding schools, with constant monitoring, restricted outdoor activities, and controlled entry and exit.
The Deputy Secretary-General emphasized that past incidents have informed their current approach, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. Closing schools is seen as a necessary preventative measure to avert potential regret from inadequate prevention efforts.