Maniac with Knife in Phitsanulok School Detained Before Any Harm Occurred

On the morning of September 2, 2026, students and teachers at a secondary school in Mueang Phitsanulok district were alarmed when a middle-aged man appeared on the school grounds carrying a knife. Police, military personnel, and the village headman were notified and rushed to the scene to secure the situation.

According to villagers and teachers who witnessed the incident, the man entered the schoolyard without presenting an ID or any documents, behaved erratically, and spoke to himself. School security guards tried to stop him but he refused and drew a knife. The principal decided to evacuate students to another building for safety and informed the Mueang Phitsanulok police.

When officers arrived, they tried to persuade him and announced that he should put down the weapon. A community psychiatrist and the village headman, who identified the suspect as a local resident, assisted. After roughly 20 minutes of negotiation, police were able to detain the man without violent confrontation. A search found a knife about 30 centimeters long, which officers confiscated as evidence.

Initial investigations indicate the man is not a registered psychiatric patient undergoing treatment at a hospital, though relatives acknowledged that he had recently been behaving strangely and had become distant from the family. Authorities coordinated with the provincial public health agency to assess his mental state and consider whether he should be referred for treatment. Investigators also filed charges related to bringing a weapon into a public place and causing a public disturbance.

The incident caused fear among students, parents, and nearby residents. The school issued a notice asking parents to drop off and pick up students at normal times and said security measures have been strengthened, including increased security staff, screening of visitors, and systematic evacuation procedures for emergencies. The principal said emergency response drills will be reviewed and held regularly to ensure students’ safety.

The community around the school is calling for more proactive action from relevant agencies, including monitoring people with risky behavior, providing local mental health services, and working with community leaders to reduce the risk of similar incidents. Officials confirmed the event was contained to the school area and the situation is under control, while residents hope the episode will prompt local authorities to prioritize mental health support and preventive measures for the overall safety of the community.