The Lat Lum Kaeo district chief confirmed that the suspect did not come to the school as reported, while police continue their relentless manhunt. Recently, the suspect's pickup truck was found abandoned in Lat Bua Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.
Following reports of a man wielding a firearm entering a school in Lat Lum Kaeo district, over ten schools in the area immediately closed for one day on 18 Feb 2026, amid widespread concern fueled by social media and news pages. Police and local authorities mobilized to search for the suspect, identified as Nopparat, nicknamed “L,” aged 31, who has outstanding warrants from Huai Yai Police Station in Chonburi and Lat Lum Kaeo Police Station in Pathum Thani. Authorities nearly captured him during a raid on his home, but he escaped through the back. Police have been searching throughout the night without success.
On 18 Feb 2026, reporters visited a school in Rahaeng subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani province, where classes were suspended for one day. Police and local officials were present, monitoring and securing the school and surrounding areas. Fourteen schools in Lat Lum Kaeo district closed as a precaution. Meanwhile, other police units continued the manhunt to pressure Nopparat to surrender.
A teacher at the school affirmed that the suspect did not come to the school or carry a gun there, contrary to rumors. The suspect’s child has also been absent from school for two days. The suspect’s home is reportedly not far from the school. For safety, the school director ordered an emergency closure for one day to monitor the situation until further notice. Parents will be updated on any changes to school operations.
Siraphop Niyomdet, Lat Lum Kaeo district chief, stated that after the suspect took his father-in-law hostage and remained at large, authorities deployed local and police officers to investigate and search at the homes of the suspect’s friends and relatives, where he might be hiding. The school director, upon hearing social media reports that the suspect was armed, feared an incident might occur at school since the suspect’s son and nephew study there. To prevent any danger, the school ordered an emergency closure. Subsequently, other schools in Lat Lum Kaeo district also closed to ensure safety.
Cheep Siangdang, 57, village headman of Village 9, said that Nopparat is usually polite but often brandished guns to threaten others. His parents reported past incidents involving firearm use in disputes. His wife is known to have been frequently abused. The cause of the current incident is unclear, but the suspect was reported to have committed an offense on the motorway. Local officials familiar with the suspect have been contacted to encourage him to surrender.
Most recently, police received a report that the suspect's pickup truck was found abandoned in Lat Bua Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.