Two students were stabbed during a clash between two rival colleges at Siam BTS station in Bangkok on 7 Sept.
Students from Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok’s Uthenthawai Campus and Pathumwan Institute of Technology reportedly confronted each other at around 8.30am on the third-floor platform.
The two institutions, located about 1km apart, have had a decades-long rivalry, with some previous clashes resulting in deaths, Thai PBS reported.
Police officers had been stationed at the MRT station and along the skywalk after another confrontation between the groups about a week earlier.
Source: Thai News Agency via ThaiPBS
Before the incident, officers found around 30 Pathumwan students waiting to board a train. Seven officers were positioned between the two groups on the platform.
Shortly after, around 30 Uthenthawai students got off the train. The two groups then ran toward each other and started to fight.
Meanwhile, the police moved in to separate them.
Source: MGR Online
Two Pathumwan students aged 19 and 21 suffered stab wounds to their backs and were brought to the hospital. They were later reported to be in stable condition.
Pathumwan police chief Pol Col Sirichart Chanpromma said officers had been deployed across the station and skywalk before the clash.
However, some students allegedly ignored instructions to leave the area, while those involved in the stabbing managed to evade officers.
Source: Daily News
Police are now reviewing CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to identify the suspects.
Teachers of the injured students have also filed a police report.
During the previous school year, the two institutions had agreed to stagger class and commuting times to reduce encounters between students, Matichon reported.
Mr Sirichart said the colleges had requested changes to students’ schedules for the new academic year but had yet to reach an agreement.
If authorities assess the risk of further clashes as high, students may have to return to online classes.
Police are also investigating whether the students coordinated the confrontation through social media.
Source: Daily News
Police said the use of firearms during these altercations has declined following increased weapons checks.
However, officers have seized around 10 knives per month from students linked to the two institutions.
Both colleges have strict disciplinary measures for students caught carrying weapons, with those found with firearms facing expulsion.
Senior Metropolitan Police officials have directed Pathumwan police to gather information on all past altercations between the two institutions.
These will be discussed during upcoming talks with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation aimed at establishing a long-term solution for the issue.
Authorities stressed that resolving the long-running rivalry will require cooperation from the schools, students and relevant government agencies, rather than relying only on police intervention.
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Featured image adapted from Thai News Agency via ThaiPBS and MGR Online.