Pak Phanang school shooting

On June 6, 2003, a mass shooting occurred at the Pak Phanang school in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The gunman, then 17-year-old Anatcha Boonkwan (a.k.a. "Nung") fatally shot two of his fellow students, and injured four others, using a semi-automatic pistol. This was apparently due to his argument with classmate Sicharat Kumsuk, who was his actual target.

Pak Phanang school shooting
LocationPak Phanang school, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Coordinates8.356077°N 100.202610°E / 8.356077; 100.202610
DateJune 6, 2003 (2003-06-06)
TargetSicharat Kumsuk
Attack type
Mass shooting, school shooting
Weapons9mm semi-automatic pistol
Deaths2
Injured4
PerpetratorAnatcha Boonkwan

Victims

The two killed were:[1]

  • Kraisorn Kanchanadul, 17
  • Wanida Klaewbang, 17

The five injured were:[2]

  • Wanida Kaewpan
  • Srijaras Khumsuk
  • Wuthidej Promthong
  • Yodrak Paenthao
  • Kanokwan Mokthong

All the injured victims were then 17 at the time of the incident.

Shooting

Anatcha Boonkwan, the perpetrator,[3] was a student at the Pak Phanang school. A day prior to the shooting, Boonkwan had a tiff with his classmate, Sicharat Kumsuk. According to Kumsuk, it was a "trading of insults".[4] On June 6, 2003, while students gathered on the school field to listen to a speech,[5] Boonkwan attempted to shoot Kumsuk using a 9mm semi-automatic pistol which he had stolen from his father. His father, realizing that his weapon had been stolen, then rushed to school. He arrived before the younger Boonkwan opened fire. Upon learning of his father's arrival,[6] Anatcha Boonkwan took out the pistol and fired seven shots, but only one hit Kumsuk.[1] The others struck his other classmates. The total death toll was 2, while 4 others were injured.[7] Boonkwan was subsequently arrested by local police.[8]

Reaction

In response to the shooting, then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that the incident was a "deplorable emulation of an example set in western countries". He added that he would "work with the Education Ministry to prevent more school shootings". Friends of Kraisorn Kanchanadul, one of the two who were fatally shot, expressed their desire to "seek revenge" on Boonkwan.[1]

See also

References
  1. "SCHOOLYARD KILLINGS: Second student dies; security beefed up". The Nation. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  2. "Student opens fire, kills one, injures five after losing fight". Bangkok Post. June 7, 2003. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  3. Gagliardi, Jason (January 15, 2004). "GANGS NOT THE ONLY SCHOOLYARD KILLERS". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  4. "Trading of insults sparked fatal attack". Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. June 8, 2003. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  5. "News Digest: School shooting". The China. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  6. "Pupil opens fire at school". News24. June 6, 2003. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  7. "Secondary School Incidents". K12 Academics. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  8. "News In Brief". Independent. June 7, 2003. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
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