The trauma of the brutal daycare centre massacre at a Thai nursery still lingers, especially for Paweenuch Supolwong, a four year old survivor in Nong Bua Lamphu.

 

The horrific daycare centre massacre that unfolded a year ago in the rural village of Uthai Sawan, ended in the deaths of 36 people, shattering the peace of this close-knit community.

 

Now, every movement of Paweenuch, affectionately known as Ammy, is under the watchful eyes of CCTV cameras installed both at her home and nursery. Her grandmother, Yupin Srithong, confessed to AFP about her lingering fear and reluctance to send Ammy back to school.

 

“I don’t want to let her out of my sight.”

 

On October 6, 2022, during the children’s nap time, a former police officer, Panya Khamrab, committed the heinous act.

 

Armed with a knife and a gun, he slaughtered 12 adults and 24 children, all but one aged five or under, before taking his own life. The incident marked one of the deadliest massacres in Thailand’s history.

 

Ammy, who was asleep under a blanket, miraculously survived but the daycare centre massacre continues to haunt her. She is easily frightened by loud noises, Yupin revealed. She’ll say, “There’s shooting again” and she’ll then ask me to hug her.

 

Far from heaven

 

Uthai Sawan, roughly translated to heaven, is approximately 500 kilometres north of Bangkok in Nong Bua Lam Phu province, one of Thailand’s poorest regions.

 

Like many families in the area, Ammy’s parents relocated to Bangkok for better-paid work, leaving her in the care of her grandparents.

 

By Atima Homtientong

Caption: Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-03

 

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The horrific events of that tragic Day will remain with these survivors for their entire lives.

Media should be showing some respect, and leave these poor people to grieve