The Only Survivor of the Mass Shooting at a Thai Daycare Center... How Did They Survive?

3-Year-Old Girl Who Napped with Friends Survives Attack
Survivor's Mother: "Child Is Too Young to Understand Death"

Three-year-old Pabinut Supolwong is reported to be the only surviving child in the mass shooting tragedy at a Thai daycare center, where a total of 38 people, including 24 infants and toddlers, lost their lives. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] The story of a 3-year-old girl who was the sole survivor in the mass shooting tragedy at a daycare center in Thailand, where a total of 38 people including 24 infants and toddlers lost their lives, has been revealed.

According to the Associated Press and others on the 9th (local time), on the 6th, former police officer Panya Kamrap (34) broke into a daycare center in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, first shooting pregnant teachers and staff who were eight months pregnant, then killing the children.

At the time of the attack, 3-year-old Pabinut Supolwong was taking a nap with friends in the classroom. The reason why Supolwong was the only one among them to avoid the attack is not clear. Supolwong’s parents speculated that it was because he was covered with a blanket while sleeping.

Supolwong’s mother, Phanomphai Sitong (35), said in an interview with a foreign media outlet, "I feel sympathy for the other families. I am glad my child survived, but it is a mix of gratitude and sorrow." She added, "Our child is not a deep sleeper. I believe some spirit covered his eyes and ears."

Most of the children who died were in the classroom where Supolwong was sleeping. Supolwong was the only child to escape safely from the daycare center where the tragedy occurred. Thai authorities later found Supolwong covered with a blanket at the crime scene. Recognizing that Supolwong had survived, the authorities immediately took the child to a safe place.

Supolwong’s parents said he does not understand why his friends disappeared and has no memory of the tragedy. Mother Phanomphai Sitong said, "I told him that in the end, all his friends and teachers died and the daycare center closed. He just wants to go to daycare every day. He is too young to understand the concept of death."

Also, Supolwong’s uncle said, "Parents are asking, ‘Where is a safe place for children?’ We hope any institution will step up and strengthen safety."

Meanwhile, Thailand has decided to initiate discussions on gun control following this tragedy. Chitaphat Kridakorn, Deputy Chairman of the Police Commission and a member of the Democrat Party, announced that short- and long-term measures to control gun possession and gun crimes will be discussed within the commission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.