A one-storey building at Jarang Bongor School in Muang district of Pattani province was completely destroyed by a fire early on Monday, police said.
Pol Col Kirati Waeyuso, the Muang district police chief, said police, soldiers, defence volunteers and rescuers rushed to the school at Ban Jarang Bongor in tambon Talupo after the fire began about 2.30am.
Six fire trucks from Muang district and Pattani Municipality arrived at the scene when the school building was already engulfed in flames.
The fire spread quickly as the 40-year-old building was made of wood. Firefighters could only spray water to prevent the fire spreading to nearby houses, as the owners fled in panic.
The fire was brought under control in about two hours. The building, containing seven rooms for kindergarten and primary classes, a teachers room, a kitchen, a meeting room and a first-aid room, as well as all teaching equipment, utensils and electrical appliances, was totally dedstroyed.
Police were investigating the cause, which was initially believed to be an electrical short circuit.