Editor/
Nong Am was in the nap room with other children when former policeman Panya Khamrab, 34, burst in firing a gun killing 37 children and adults yesterday afternoon in an attack that has shocked the world.
Amazingly, the youngster remained in a deep sleep with the blanket pulled up over her head. While the other youngsters panicked – and were slayed by the attacker – he appeared not to notice the sleeping girl and she made it through unscathed following the carnage.
Her story emerged as pictures of the innocent victims of Khamrab’s rampage began to be released, including a heartbreaking image of two murdered twins and an eight-month-pregnant teacher. Weerapat and Weeraphon Nuatkao, both three years old, and teacher Supaporn Pramongmuk were all among those killed in the massacre.
Her husband posted a poignant tribute on Facebook. “I would like to thank all the support for me and my family. My wife has fulfilled her every duty as a teacher,” husband Seksan Srirach wrote. “Please be a teacher in heaven, and my child please take care of your mother in heaven.”
Survivor Nong Am’s uncle, Wutthichai Baothong, thanked the teachers at the school for helping to protect her. He said she was the only youngster in the classroom to survive the rampage. He said, “It is a miracle from God that saved my niece’s life. Brothers and sisters, out of 30, she was the only one to survive.”
Nong Am spent yesterday being comforted by her relatives – seemingly unaware of the chaos that had unfolded earlier in the afternoon in Nong But Lamphu, northern Thailand.
The Thai King and Queen will visit the government-run childcare centre today to comfort grieving relatives who are still coming to terms with the worst massacre in the country’s history.
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