Police, vocational schools brainstorm on ending violence

Officers from 14 police stations in high-risk areas sat down with representatives from Minburi Technical College, Minburi Polytechnic Technological College, and Kanchanaphisek Technical College Mahanakorn at a meeting room of Minburi Technical College.

It had been thought that the meeting stemmed from the two recent shootings in Bangkok on November 11 and 20, in which a secondary school teacher, a vocational school student and a technology university student were killed in what are believed to be wars between groups of vocational school students.

However, deputy MPB chief Pol Maj Gen Charin Kopatta said that the meeting was called to discuss security measures for the upcoming screening of “Four Kings 2” in theatres next week.

“Four Kings 2” is the sequel to the 2021 hit movie about vocational school delinquents in ’90s Bangkok. The film was a huge success, grossing 170 million baht in Thailand despite being made on a 15-million-baht budget.

Police believe that a large number of vocational students will flock to theatres to watch the sequel and the gathering could spark another violent incident.

After the meeting concluded, a news source said that several ideas were discussed to prevent clashes between vocational students in public places, including revoking the mandatory uniform and hairstyle, in a bid to let students blend in with other young people.

The source added that school faculties were also encouraged to increase screening for weapons and contraband smuggled into the training facilities, as well as make sure that students head directly home after school ends.

Students attending the meeting reportedly said that they would go see “Four Kings 2” in theatres as they believed the movie would be educational and show how vocational students fit into present-day society.