Attack with a weapon
What to do if someone is attacking people with a gun, knife or other weapon on or near campus. Thai police teach the same three steps as police worldwide. Run, hide, and fight only as a last resort.
There is no alert for this at the moment
This is guidance to read before you need it.
Do this now
- Run if there is a safe way out. Leave your belongings behind.
- If you cannot get out, hide. Lock or block the door, turn off the lights and put your phone on silent, with vibrate off too.
- Call 191 when it is safe to do so, or 1155 in English.
- Only if your life is in immediate danger and you cannot run or hide, fight back with others.
Call
Run
- Move away from the sound of the attack, not towards it. Use any exit, including fire exits and ground-floor windows.
- Leave bags, laptops and everything else. Do not stop to film.
- Take others with you, but do not wait for people who will not come.
- Keep your hands empty and visible as you go, so police do not mistake you for the attacker.
- Warn other people away from the area once you are out.
Hide
- Choose a room you can lock, away from the door. Barricade it with desks and cabinets.
- Get behind something solid, such as a concrete wall or pillar. A closed door alone will not stop a bullet. If you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you.
- Turn off the lights, close blinds and stay silent.
- Put your phone on silent and turn off vibrate.
- Stay hidden until police tell you it is safe. Do not open the door to anyone who knocks, even if they say they are police, unless you are sure.
Tell the police
Call 191 when you can do it safely, or 1155 for English. If you cannot speak, stay on the line so the operator can listen. Tell them what you can.
- Where you are and where the attacker is, or where you last saw them go.
- How many attackers and what they look like, including clothes and weapons.
- How many people are hurt, and where.
- How to get into the building and which exits are open.
Fight, only as a last resort
If the attacker reaches you and there is no way to run or hide, act together with the people around you and commit fully. Use whatever is at hand, such as a chair or a fire extinguisher, to stop the attack and get away.
When police arrive
- Officers will go straight towards the danger and may not stop to help the injured at first.
- Drop anything you are holding. Keep your hands raised and your fingers spread.
- Do not run towards officers, shout, point or grab at them.
- Do exactly what they tell you. You may be searched or held until they know who you are.
Afterwards
- Tell your family and friends you are safe by message. Keep phone lines free.
- Do not share photos or videos of the scene or of people who were hurt. They can help an attacker, hurt families and spread false information.
- Many people have strong reactions for days or weeks afterwards. The mental health hotline on 1323 is open at all hours.
Contacts
Police emergency
24 hours, free
Tourist Police
24 hours, in English and other languages. The best line if you do not speak Thai.
Ambulance and medical emergency
24 hours, free
Erawan Centre, Bangkok's emergency medical service
24 hours, free
Faculty of Political Science office
Weekdays 09:00 to 16:00. Email polscitu@tu.ac.th.
BIR Programme office
Weekdays. Email bir@tu.ac.th.
Mental health hotline
24 hours, free, mostly in Thai. Talk to someone if what happened is weighing on you.