A suspect shot a female teacher dead in front of children at a childcare center. The suspect is believed to be her police officer husband who fled home and has not surrendered.
At 10:30 a.m. on 9 September 2026, Police Lieutenant Manot Tipwetch, deputy investigation officer at Bang Lamung Police Station, received a report of a gunshot injury with critical condition inside the Nong Plalai Municipal Kindergarten building, Moo 3, Nong Plalai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. Upon receiving the report, he informed his superiors and, along with Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchnarot, chief of Bang Lamung Police, investigators, patrol officers, and rescue teams from Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Pattaya, rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, about 50 kindergarten students and teachers were visibly frightened. Officials secured the area before evacuating all students from the classrooms.
Initially, it was found that the school building is two stories high. On the hallway outside a downstairs classroom, the body of a Thai woman was found, identified as Ms. Phailin Thongthach, aged 48. Known as "Teacher Ple". She was the kindergarten homeroom teacher at the school. Her body was dressed in a yellow collared T-shirt and long pants, with a gunshot wound at the back of her head from an unknown caliber firearm, resulting in death at the scene.
Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot. After the shot, no one dared approach; the childcare teacher secured the doors to protect the children. About 20 minutes later, upon inspection, Teacher Ple was found lying in a pool of blood. Police and rescue teams were then called in to assist.
At this stage, the perpetrator's identity is unknown, but it is likely the work of Teacher Ple's boyfriend, a police officer assigned to the Nong Ket police outpost under Bang Lamung Police Station. The motive is suspected to be jealousy.
Authorities have cordoned off the area, with Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaiwong, Bang Lamung District Chief, and Nong Plalai Subdistrict Mayor joining the inspection.
However, the latest reports indicate the suspect, a police officer named "Lieutenant Pong". Police are currently surrounding his home about 3 km from the school. He remains inside and has not surrendered. Updates will be provided as the situation develops.