HAT YAI, THAILAND – An 18-year-old suspect in a deadly school shooting in Hat Yai was transferred under heavy guard to a psychiatric hospital as authorities continued to investigate the attack and the use of a police service weapon.
Teen suspect transferred under high security
The 18-year-old was moved on 12 February 2026 at around 1 p.m. from Hat Yai Hospital to Songkhla Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital in Songkhla city, according to police. He had initially been treated under medical supervision in hospital following his arrest, before authorities ordered his placement in a psychiatric facility due to his mental condition. Prosecutors brought charges including intentional homicide and other serious offences.
Security measures during transport
Police said the transfer took place under heightened security measures and that the suspect was restrained throughout the journey. Multiple police officers accompanied the transport, with one Hat Yai police officer in the ambulance and another patrol vehicle escorting the convoy. Authorities stressed that there were no incidents during the entire transfer.
Deadly attack at Patong Prathankiriwat School
The transfer was directly linked to the events of 11 February 2026 at Patong Prathankiriwat School on Thetsaban 31 Road in Patong subdistrict, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. Investigators said the suspect fired shots on the school grounds and temporarily held several people. The school principal was killed, while two female students were injured and received medical treatment.
Police response and arrest on campus
Emergency responders secured the campus immediately after the first calls and coordinated the actions of several units to bring the situation under control and prevent further danger. The suspect was overpowered and arrested on the school grounds, and police reported no additional fatalities during the operation. The 18-year-old was later treated for an injury.
Provincial police: motive still unclear
Pol. Maj. Gen. Teerasak Chaiyotha, commander of Songkhla Provincial Police, visited the scene and told reporters that the exact motive remained unclear and under active investigation.
“The exact motive is still unclear and remains the subject of ongoing investigations.”
said Teerasak, commander of the Songkhla Provincial Police.
He confirmed that the young man had been treated in a psychiatric clinic in Songkhla province in December 2025 and had not previously come to police attention. Media reports also pointed to possible further background factors that were being examined.
Use of police firearm under scrutiny
According to investigators, prosecutors listed several counts, including intentional homicide, attempted murder and violations of gun laws. Based on current findings, the suspect had allegedly become involved in an altercation with a police officer and taken a state-issued service weapon. The exact sequence of events was still being reconstructed, and police were focusing in particular on how the weapon could have been taken.
Internal review ordered from Bangkok
Alongside the criminal investigation, an internal review was launched on the orders of the National Police Commissioner in Bangkok. The inquiry aimed to examine the conduct of the operation and the handling of the service weapon. Authorities said both the crime itself and organisational issues would be thoroughly analysed in order to identify any security gaps and better prevent similar incidents in future.
Nationwide debate on school security
The case triggered a nationwide debate on security concepts at educational institutions. Representatives from politics and civil society called for a careful review of existing protective measures, including prevention, early psychological support and responsible handling of weapons. Experts warned that the background to such incidents was complex and that each case had to be assessed individually.