This morning, about 20 Thai men — all of whom allegedly broke into a Bangkok high school and assaulted teachers, students and security guards during an important university entrance exam — turned themselves into police.
The incident occurred at Mathayomwatsing or the Wat Sing Secondary School in Bangkok’s Jomthong District yesterday afternoon while senior students were taking the General Aptitude Test and Professional Aptitude Test (GAT/PAT) — a very important exam used to apply for universities.
At the same time, a lively ordination ceremony was occuring at a temple adjacent to the school, reported Manager.
The violent outbreak was, reportedly, triggered by several repeated requests by teachers over the school’s speakers for the party to lower the volume of the music that was being blasted.
At that one point, a teacher allegedly walked over to the ceremony to confront celebrators until a verbal fight broke out.
Here’s a clip of celebrators announcing over their speakers that they refuse to turn down the music because they had rented sound equipment that cost about THB20,000 (about US$640).
After that, a group of at least 30 men, aged 18-41 and believed to be under the influence, followed the teacher back to the school where they proceeded to assault and injure about eight students, six teachers and two security guards, reported traffic and accident news publisher, JS100.
The group also reportedly damaged properties and molested a female student by forcibly grabbing and kissing her.
The shocked students were reportedly given 30 minutes to calm down before continuing their exam but most said they felt extremely distracted and believe their scores would be affected — which would hinder their chances of getting into their desired schools.
Wat Sing School director Boonyapong Phowattanathanat has appealed to the National Institute of Educational Testing Service for a re-test, reports The Nation.
Meanwhile, the attackers fled the scene.
After arrest warrants were issued for the invaders, about 20 men had reportedly turned themselves in this morning.
They are facing three charges for invading a government building, damaging property within a government building as well as physical abuse.
Pol. Col. Krisana Patanacharoen, deputy police spokesman, claims officials are working to track down the reset of the gang. He added that police commanders have been order to prevent such incidents in the future.
