CHIANG RAI – A tense moment hit a school in Chiang Rai after a man who appeared to be under the influence of drugs walked onto campus during a senior (Grade 12) graduation ceremony. Staff alerted police quickly, and officers detained him before he reached the main event area. A urine test later came back positive for methamphetamine.
Police said the report came in around 2:10 p.m. on Friday. Col. Anusorn Norkhambutr, superintendent of Ban Du Police Station, along with investigators led by Lt. Col. Phichitchai Phutthawong and Lt. Col. Nattawut Kaewsueb, sent officers to check the situation at Mengrai Maharaj Wittayakhom School in Nang Lae Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District.
At the time, the school was holding a farewell event for Mathayom 6 students who were about to graduate. Teachers, parents, and relatives were attending in large numbers, so police moved in to prevent any possible disruption.
Officers stopped the man before he got close to the ceremony. He was later identified as Jirawat, 37, from Wiang Subdistrict in Mueang Chiang Rai. Police described him as confused and speaking incoherently, with behavior consistent with drug intoxication.
Police escorted him away from the event area and conducted a urine test. The initial result showed methamphetamine. Officers then charged him with using a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) in violation of the law and transferred him to investigators at Ban Du Police Station for legal proceedings.
The school’s farewell ceremony continued as planned, and the event was not affected.
