School principal dies after Thailand campus shooting

BANGKOK — A school principal died on Thursday after a gunman opened fire at a schoolin southern Thailand, authorities said.Sasiphat Sinsamosorn and a female student were shot by the 18-year-old man, who entered the Phatong Prathan Keeriwat Schoolnear the city of Hat Yai shortly before 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday.Sasiphat, who also served as the school’s director, was taken to an intensive care unit for surgery but died early Thursday morning due to internal organ injuries and significant blood loss, the health ministry said.The student who was shot is in stable condition. Another student who jumped out a window during the siege is also still in hospital, police said.The gunman was arrested after a two-hour standoff that saw a number of students and teachers trapped in the school building.The motive for the attack remains unclear, although local media reports suggest the suspect may have had a grievance with a teacher at the school.In a Facebook post, the school expressed its “deepest condolences” over the principal’s death.”Although we have lost her, the memories and kindness she left behind will forever remain in our hearts,” the post said.Levels of gun crime are relatively high in Thailand, where gun ownership, both legal and illegal, is widespread. — Agencies