Sophon Sarum pointed out that the shooting of the school director in Hat Yai would not have occurred if the problem had been addressed at its root. The drug issue would have decreased, preventing such losses. He said whether he continues as deputy prime minister depends on the Bhumjaithai Party.
On 14 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Sophon Sarum, Deputy Prime Minister and incoming Member of Parliament for Buriram District 5, commented on the case where a school director in Hat Yai district was shot dead by an 18-year-old assailant inside the school, with several students injured. He said such incidents have happened multiple times in Thailand, mostly involving perpetrators with mental health issues largely linked to drug use. In the Hat Yai case, the perpetrator also had mental problems and used drugs, which caused hallucinations. Such individuals can commit violence anytime, even against their own family.
Sophon added that completely eradicating drugs is difficult, but the goal is to reduce them as much as possible, especially methamphetamine, which is widespread in every village and among all groups and ages. He agreed with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s statement after the incident that the root cause must be cut off early. He referred to his own integrated drug problem solution project in his electoral area, which proved effective. The project includes district-level drug rehabilitation centers and screening in every village. If drugs are detected, users enter a 7-day treatment program. Afterward, they are monitored for 120 days, and if they relapse, legal action is taken, involving court fines and restarting the program if they use again.
"I have successfully reduced drug use among youth by over 60%, which indirectly lowered violent incidents caused by drug-induced psychosis. After becoming deputy prime minister, I started implementing this in the Northeast but lacked time to expand nationwide due to parliament dissolution. As a party member with prior responsibility, I will propose this policy again to the Bhumjaithai Party. Whether I will continue in this role depends on the party, but I will continue this work in my own way regardless of my position," Sophon said.
