Yala: The Sirindhorn College of Public Health in Yala has recalled the remaining nine nurse trainees at a hospital in Yaha district following Wednesday’s fatal shooting of two students in Yaha.
The gunmen opened fire about 3pm when the two nursing students were shopping for food at a market opposite the hospital.
The victims were identified as Suthira Phetchan, 29, from Songkhla’s Na Thawi district, and Kulradee Phetchmak, 21, from Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Thung Song district.
They were second-year nursing students pursuing bachelor of science degrees in community public health.
They were among 11 students from the college who were training at the Yaha Crown Prince Hospital.
Kantima Al-idrus, a nursing specialist at the hospital who was supervising the trainees, said the attack had demoralised the nine other students. They were shocked and wept upon hearing the news of their friends’ deaths.
For their safety, Ms Kantima said she contacted the college and requested the recall of the remaining nine students. The 11 student nurses began training at the hospital on July 1.
Ms Kantima said that during orientation, student trainees were briefed on safety measures requiring them to stay close to the hospital.
They were also told the hospital did not provide their food so they had to buy it outside the hospital premises.
The nearest place where they were allowed to buy food and supplies is a 7-Eleven convenience store located opposite the hospital.
On the day of the attack, a talad nat market — a weekly casual market — was held near the hospital and the students visited the market before they were attacked, Ms Kantima said.
Police said the assailants were two men about 165cm tall wearing hoods and jeans.
They were sitting at a tea shop opposite the hospital when the two students left the hospital and walked to the market.
The men followed and opened fire on them before escaping into a forest, police said, adding that they used .38-calibre revolvers in the attack.
Police believed the assailants planned the attack, although they might not have targeted the two nurses in particular, but probably anyone who walked out of the hospital.
A police source said the shooting might have been in response to the arrest on Wednesday of Mayuelan Jintara, an ustaz (religious teacher) at a ponoh school in Yaha district, who is the subject of a warrant issued under the Criminal Procedure Code. However, police have not yet ruled out other possible motives.
Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, yesterday expressed condolences to the families of the victims and condemned the gunmen for their inhumane acts of violence.
He also encouraged religious leaders and non-governmental organisations to denounce those who commit acts of violence against innocent people in the far South during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is now being observed.
Col Pramote said that 4th Army commander Walit Rojanaphakdi, director of Isoc Region 4, had instructed agencies to boost efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and increase security to protect civilians vulnerable to insurgent attacks.