Family of slain 5-year-old seeks safe zone for children

Mayeng Wohba, 36, his daughter Mintra, 5, and vendor Talmisi Mada-oh, 23, were killed on Tuesday when insurgents detonated a motorcycle bomb parked in front of the Ban Taba School. 

Mayeng’s six-year-old son Pongsapak Wohba was playing with friends in the family’s compound yesterday when people came to offer condolences and financial assistance. He was occasionally heard asking about his father and sister, but did not seem to understand that they were dead. 

When asked if he wanted to be a soldier, the boy eagerly raised his hand, reducing other members of the family to tears. 

Mayeng’s older sister Maela Wohba, who has promised to be the boy’s guardian, tearfully said the family of six – Mayeng, Maela, another brother, a brother-in-law, Mintra and Pongsapak – had largely been supported by Mayeng’s daily wage of Bt200. 

Mayeng formerly worked as a security guard in Bangkok and had just moved back to the province, she said. 

Another sister, Saidong Wohba, who does not live in the same house but visits often, said she had helped the family coordinate with relevant agencies. “I never thought that the area in front of a school, which is supposed to be safe, would end up being so dangerous for children. An innocent girl was killed because of some conflict she knew nothing about. My younger brother was a good man who worked hard and took care of his kids. He was just taking his child to school before heading to work,” she said tearfully. 

“What we are calling for, as a family that has lost loved ones, aren’t just remedial measures but also for a safe zone for our young nephew to grow up and live safely.” 

Meanwhile, teachers at the Ban Taba School called for innocent people and children to be spared from the ongoing violence in the deep South. 

“We beg those behind the unrest to spare innocent people. All the teachers, students and parents are sad about what happened. We’ve never experienced such an attack before,” school director Saravuth Yodrak said. 

He added that the bombing took place at a time when students were waiting to go to class after the morning flag-raising ceremony. 

He said the school was open and teachers have said that they will continue working despite being terrified after the attack. 

The atmosphere at the school was quiet yesterday with only 100 of 520 students present.

Mintra’s kindergarten teacher Usanee Prasitthichaiwut said the cheerful little girl had joined her 20-member class just two months ago and was taken to school every morning by her loving father. 

“When we heard the blast, we took the children inside the building to hide and then heard that one of our students was hit. At the hospital I realised that it was Mintra. It was shocking,” she said. “I can’t fathom the minds of those behind the attack. They should not use violence against children or kill innocent people.”