SONGKHLA, THAILAND – Hatyaiwittayalai School closes its gates Monday and Tuesday, switching to online classes after a sacked foreign teacher allegedly posted a gun threat.
The school has about 3,600 students and around 250 teachers and staff. The threat targeted students, teachers, and school management.
Sacked teacher named as suspect
Headmaster Thitiwit Meechooworapong confirmed the threat on Saturday evening. He named Pieter Johannes Dreyer, a former English teacher for the English program, as the alleged culprit.
The school ended Dreyer’s employment on July 24 for breach of contract. After that, he allegedly posted a picture of a firearm, messages, and an audio file in a public LINE group.
Message shared in LINE group with 5,000 users
School officials said the man also posted photos of himself shooting a gun and images of school executives. In the LINE group with about 5,000 users, he criticised the school leadership.
The school filed a complaint with police in Hat Yai. The school cited the safety of students and staff as the reason for switching to online classes.
said Thitiwit Meechooworapong, headmaster.
Police say South African has left Thailand
Hat Yai police reported that the foreigner had already left Thailand on July 19. According to police, the South African national passed through the Padang Besar border checkpoint in Sadao district at 2.39pm and did not return.
The man had previously lived in Room 23223 of a housing complex in Hat Yai. Police found the previously rented room empty. Immigration police said Dreyer had already been placed on a blacklist.
More police at 81-year-old school
Hatyaiwittayalai School is located on Phetkasem Road in Hat Yai district and has been around for 81 years. Security measures on campus have been stepped up after the threat.
All school gates remained closed on Sunday. Police patrols regularly checked the school. On Monday and Tuesday, classes will be held online.