UBON RATCHATHANI – A 12-year-old student has been detained after fatally stabbing a classmate during lunch break at a secondary school in Phibun Mangsahan district, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting urgent calls for stricter school safety measures.

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The violent altercation occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday between two Matthayom 1 (Grade 7) students who had a history of conflict. Witnesses reported that the suspect approached the victim near the school canteen, pulled out a concealed knife, and stabbed him in the left abdomen. As the wounded boy tried to escape toward the kitchen area, the attacker pursued him and delivered a second, fatal stab to the neck. Despite the victim’s pleas for mercy, the assault only ended when bystanders intervened and subdued the assailant.

The injured student was rushed to Phibun Mangsahan Hospital but succumbed to his wounds. Police later escorted the suspect back to the school to reconstruct the crime scene as part of his confession.

Thanu Wongchinda, secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), condemned the school’s failure to implement mandatory safety checks, which could have prevented the weapon from being brought onto campus. “This tragedy highlights a serious lapse in security,” he said, emphasizing that the Ministry of Education requires regular bag inspections—a policy that was evidently neglected.

Investigations revealed that the two students had prior disputes during their primary school years, though they attended different institutions at the time. Upon enrolling in the same secondary school, their feud reignited, leading to the deadly confrontation.

Authorities are coordinating with mental health services to provide counseling for grieving families, traumatized students, and school staff. While officials classify the incident as an isolated personal conflict rather than a systemic security failure, education leaders have reaffirmed the need for schools to be safe spaces.

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In response to the tragedy, schools nationwide are being urged to tighten security protocols, including stricter weapon screenings, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

-Thailand News (TN)