BANGKOK, Sept 10: A police officer accused of shooting dead his wife at a kindergarten in eastern Thailand surrendered to authorities on Thursday after an 18 hour standoff, officials said.
Tatsapong Tongthat, who is posted at the Bang Lamung police station in Chonburi province, allegedly shot his wife inside a building at Nongplalai Municipal Kindergarten late Wednesday morning, according to the provincial government.
Following the incident, the officer reportedly fled to his residence. Police surrounded the house and attempted to persuade him to surrender. He remained inside overnight before giving himself up on Thursday, bringing the prolonged standoff to an end.
All 44 children enrolled at the kindergarten were unharmed. They were evacuated from the premises along with other teachers following the incident, officials said.
Authorities suspended classes at the school until Friday as a precaution while security measures were reviewed and the situation was brought under control.
The incident has renewed concerns over firearms and safety at educational institutions in Thailand, where a series of recent shootings involving young people has drawn national attention.
On August 7, a 14 year old reportedly opened fire at his high school and family home, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 others before apparently taking his own life.
In another incident on September 2, a 14-year-old student was arrested after allegedly firing several shots at his school in Kamphaeng Phet province, around 200 kilometres north of Bangkok. No one was injured in that incident.
The latest violence has intensified calls for tighter firearm controls in the country. The national government has ordered a review of existing gun regulations, including a suspension of new firearm purchase permits and an examination of permits that have already been issued.
Thailand has one of the highest levels of civilian gun ownership in Asia, despite having relatively strict firearms laws.
Although large scale shootings remain comparatively uncommon, several high-profile attacks in recent years have increased public concern over gun violence and prompted renewed demands for stronger preventive measures.