Loei school shuts urgently after student posts about copycat attack

A prominent school in Mueang district of Thailand’s northeastern Loei province abruptly suspended on-campus classes on Friday after a Mathayom 2 (Grade 8) student posted chat messages threatening a copycat attack modelled on a recent tragic incident in Nonthaburi.

The school issued an urgent order banning all students from entering the campus today and switched to online learning.

Teachers and staff were instructed to work from home to ensure the safety of all personnel, with administrators promising further updates through official channels.

The threat came to light on Thursday evening when classmates alerted teachers that the teenage boy was discussing preparations for a violent act in a group chat on social media.

This morning, the school entrance remained quiet, with only school executives present at the gates. The Mueang Loei district chief and local police officers scheduled an emergency meeting at the school to formulate strict preventative measures against active shooter threats.

School executives revealed that the boy had been disciplined two months ago for bringing a realistic toy gun to school, noting that he had long exhibited an obsession with firearms. School officials plan to meet with the boy and his parents for special counselling and intervention.

A review of the student's recent social media activity revealed alarming posts featuring real firearms, including photos of him cleaning a handgun, posing with weapons and sleeping next to a gun on his bed.