Tributes pour in for school director who died after shielding students in Hat Yai shooting

2026-02-12 - 04:36

HAT YAI — Tributes have poured in for Mrs. Sasipatchara Sinsamosorn, director of Patong Prathan Khiriwat School, who died after being shot while volunteering to take a student’s place during a hostage incident in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. Dr. Wiroj Yommuang, director of Hat Yai Hospital, said on 12 February 2026 that Mrs. Sasipatchara passed away at 02:00 despite doctors’ full efforts to save her. She died from massive blood loss and a loss of blood clotting function due to severe internal injuries, he said. Medical staff carried out emergency treatment to the fullest extent possible. The incident occurred when an 18-year-old man, who had seized a firearm from a police officer, stormed the school and opened fire. Mrs. Sasipatchara was seriously wounded. A 14-year-old female student was also shot. The suspect later held students hostage before police surrounded the area and secured his surrender. According to Ms. Darawan Chaisuwan, deputy director of Rattaphum Wittaya School and a former colleague, the gunman had initially taken a female student hostage. Mrs. Sasipatchara negotiated with him and asked to take the student’s place. “In that moment, with the spirit of a teacher, she stepped forward to protect her student,” Ms. Darawan said. Mrs. Sasipatchara was shot shortly after volunteering to replace the student. Despite intensive medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. Online users across Thailand have praised her actions, describing her as a selfless educator who sacrificed her life to protect her pupils. Mrs. Sasipatchara held a Master of Education degree in educational administration and had dedicated her career to advancing education. She had served as director of Patong Prathan Khiriwat School since 2020.