Gunman opens fire at Thailand school, holds students and teachers hostage

Bangkok: A gunman opened fire at a school in Songkhla province in southern Thailand on Wednesday, injuring at least three people and taking an unknown number of students and teachers hostage, local authorities said on social media.

According to multiple media reports the incident occurred at a school in the Songkhla region, which lies near the border with Malaysia. Provincial officials confirmed that the situation is still unfolding and detailed information about the gunman’s identity, motive and the exact number of hostages was not immediately available.

Police and special forces were reported to be surrounding the school and attempting to manage the hostage situation as rescue efforts continued and negotiations were believed to be underway. At least three people, including students or teachers, were reportedly injured in the shooting incident, according to initial reports.

The provincial administration shared updates on social media as efforts continued to secure the safety of those inside the school. Authorities have not yet provided a full casualty count or clarified the condition of all hostages. Further details are expected as the situation develops.

Previous incidents of gun violence and hostage situations at schools or public places in Thailand have raised concerns about school safety and access to firearms in the region, though such events remain relatively rare.

Updates will follow as more verified information becomes available.