Why can’t my son do maths? Father fires gun after confronting teacher

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – A father allegedly fired two gunshots into the air at a primary school in northeastern Thailand after arguing with a teacher over his child’s inability to read or perform basic addition, prompting the school to suspend classes for two days.

The incident occurred at Ban Na Dee School in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, at around 15.20 on Monday (2 November), shortly before students were due to leave for the day.

Police identified the suspect as Manachai Chanthasom, 54, a local resident and parent of a student at the school.

Pol. Col. Thatchaphon Chinwong, superintendent of Sikhio Police Station, said the man had arrived to collect his child before becoming involved in an argument with a teacher.

According to preliminary investigations, the father was upset that his child could neither read nor perform simple addition. Police said he was also intoxicated and became angry, allegedly firing two shots into the air with a .38-calibre handgun.

No injuries or property damage were reported.

The suspect fled in a pickup truck to a public area in the village, where police later arrested him and seized the firearm.

He faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a firearm in a public place without reasonable cause, and drink-driving.

When reporters visited the school on Tuesday (3 November), they found it closed for two days following the incident.

Ban Na Dee School is a small primary school with approximately 30 students and seven teachers. Located in a relatively isolated agricultural area, the school was quiet during the visit.

Apilak Kanna, 23, whose nephew attends the school, said he was shocked by the shooting and concerned for the safety of students, teachers and parents.

He said schools should be safe places for children and warned that such incidents could leave students frightened and affect their concentration in class.

Apilak urged the school to strengthen security, including monitoring visitors and parents entering the premises, to prevent similar incidents in the future.