BANGKOK, Aug 19 — Thai schools conducted active shooter drills on Wednesday as authorities moved to tighten security measures two weeks after a 14-year-old opened fire at a school, killing at least eight people.

At the Surasamontree School in Bangkok, students participated in a “run, hide, fight” exercise. To simulate a real-world crisis, a police officer dressed in black acted as a mock attacker, armed with a handgun and an assault rifle firing blanks, Reuters reported.

The drills forced students to react under pressure: some fled from the gunman, while others hid under tables or behind locked doors, using furniture to barricade entrances. In one scenario, students successfully tackled and pinned down the attacker after he breached the classroom.

The exercises follow a directive signed on Aug 10 by Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, which requires all schools to develop comprehensive security plans and rehearse emergency response procedures.

“Every school is responding because this is a new-age threat that can happen anywhere,” said Visitsak Vipattanamongkol, superintendent of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit at the Patrol and Special Operations Division of the police.

“Every school is on alert, adjusting their plans, and preparing so students can respond to incidents and threats of all forms,” he added.

Beyond the drills, the school has escalated its daily security protocols, implementing bag searches and the use of metal detectors. During the session, teachers demonstrated the use of handheld detectors and displayed various sharp objects confiscated from students.

Surasamontree School director Onitcha Kochana stated that the training is essential for preparing students for potential emergencies.

“I’m impressed and really like this training, because it gives students knowledge and awareness,” Onitcha said.

“They can take what they learned today and use it to handle the situation, turning something serious into something less severe.”