Bangkok gunman who shut down 40 schools denied bail after rampage
Photo courtesy of Thai Examiner
A gunman who forced 40 schools across the Bangkok area to shut down this week broke down in tears Thursday after Pathum Thani Court denied his bail request.
The suspect, identified only as "L," sparked massive panic earlier this week during what police are calling a "rampage" that involved kidnapping his father-in-law and led to a major manhunt. Schools from Bangkok to Pathum Thani closed their doors as a precaution while authorities searched for the armed man.
Police seized seven guns during the investigation and arrest. The manhunt ended when L was taken into custody, but details about exactly how and where he was captured haven't been released.
What happened
The incident started with L apparently abducting his father-in-law, which triggered the police response. As word spread about an armed man on the loose, education officials made the call to close dozens of schools across the greater Bangkok area rather than risk student safety.
Parents scrambled to pick up kids or kept them home while police conducted their search. The school closures affected thousands of students and families throughout the region.
Court appearance
When L appeared before Pathum Thani Court on Thursday for his bail hearing, he was reportedly emotional and crying as the judge rejected his request to be released pending trial. He'll remain in custody while the case moves forward.
Police haven't released many details about L's motives or what led to the confrontation with his father-in-law that started this whole situation. They also haven't said whether the father-in-law was injured or what condition he's in now.
Impact on Bangkok area
The incident shows how quickly safety concerns can ripple across Thailand's capital region. Forty schools is a massive number — that's potentially tens of thousands of students and staff affected by one person's actions.
For anyone living in Bangkok or the surrounding provinces, it's a reminder that school safety protocols here can shut down large areas when there's a credible threat. Parents got text alerts and calls to either collect kids immediately or keep them home.
The seven guns seized also highlight ongoing concerns about illegal weapons in Thailand. That's a significant arsenal for one person to have access to.
L's case will likely move through the Thai court system over the coming months. Given the scale of disruption — school closures, the manhunt, kidnapping charges — he's facing serious time if convicted.
The good news is the situation ended without any reported injuries to students, school staff, or the general public. But it's the kind of incident that sticks with parents and makes everyone a bit more aware of safety procedures.
Source: Thai Examiner
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