CHACHOENGSAO, THAILAND – A teenage scuffle at a local school nearly turned fatal when a 17-year-old allegedly repeatedly stabbed a younger classmate after a prank.
Prank led to stabbing in classroom
The incident occurred on 19 November at a school in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province. Teachers immediately called emergency responders from the Tha Kradan District Rescue Foundation. The 16-year-old victim, identified as Wuttipong, was taken to Sanam Chai Khet Hospital with serious stab wounds.
Victim felt betrayed by friend
During the ambulance ride, the teenager described his shock at the attack.
“I was shocked because I had considered him a friend,”
said Wuttipong, the injured student.
He admitted to having pulled down the attacker’s trousers as a joke but said he had not expected such a violent response. According to current reports, his condition was later stabilized.
More than 50 stitches after severe blood loss
The victim’s family said they were stunned by the extent of the injuries. His 21-year-old brother Nattapong told broadcaster Channel 8 about the damage.
“My brother needed more than 50 stitches for several wounds,”
said Nattapong, adding that a deep chest wound was most worrying because it caused severe blood loss.
Police from Sanam Chai Kett district launched an investigation and spoke with the parents of both boys. Officers said inquiries were continuing.
Case handled under juvenile law
Because the alleged attacker was only 17, the case was being processed under juvenile criminal law. Police were working with specialist officials to question the teenager. Under Section 297 of the Criminal Code, an adult convicted of causing serious bodily harm could face six months to ten years in prison and a fine of 10,000 to 200,000 baht.
For minors, however, police and the courts decide on an appropriate sanction. The case cast a harsh light on rising violence in Thai schools.
Other recent school violence cases
Authorities stressed that the stabbing was not an isolated incident. Just last week in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly threatening and attacking a 14-year-old student in a classroom. In October, a Thai schoolgirl reportedly attempted suicide after a school security officer allegedly tried to rape her and classmates later spread false rumours about her.
The girl’s mother called on authorities to finally take bullying in schools seriously, saying her daughter had been deeply traumatised by the attempted assault and the gossip that followed.
Experts urge prevention and mediation
The recent cases triggered a wider debate about safety in Thailand’s schools. Education specialists called for stronger psychological support and structured conflict mediation programmes.
“We must teach our children to resolve conflicts without violence,”
said a local child psychologist, adding that prevention needed to begin at an early age.
For the families of both boys in Chachoengsao, a long process of coming to terms with the events was only just beginning, while the justice system now had to decide the fate of the 17-year-old suspect.