‘Miracle’ toddler survives Thailand nursery massacre by sleeping under blanket

UTHAI SAWAN, Thailand, October 9 (Reuters) – A three-year-old boy who survived last week’s massacre at a nursery in northeastern Thailand fell asleep in horror under a blanket in the corner of a classroom.

Paveenut Supolwong, nicknamed “Ammy,” is normally a light sleeper, but Ammy fell into a deep sleep at bedtime, covering her face with a blanket on Thursday when the killer entered the nursery and began killing 22 children, her family said.

It probably saved his life.

He was the only child to escape unhurt from daycare after ex-police officer Panya Khamrap killed more than 30 people, most of whom were nursery children, in an attack in the town of Uthai Sawan.

“I’m in shock,” said Ammy’s mother, Panompai Sithong. “I feel for other families… I’m glad my child survived. It’s a mixed feeling of sadness and gratitude.”

On Sunday, the family’s wooden house was overflowing with relatives and neighbors sharing their thoughts on fish, papaya salad, and tragedy.

As Ammy played in the garden in a flowery dress, with a talisman tied around her neck, they were alarmed over Ammy, who was fluttering between surprise and gaping smiles at the sudden attention.

Ammy’s family said she did not remember the tragedy. After the murderer left, someone found him fidgeting in a far corner of the classroom and took him outside with his head covered in a blanket so he wouldn’t see the bodies of his classmates.

Of the 22 children stabbed to death, 11 died in the classroom where they slept, according to police. The other two children were in the hospital with serious head injuries.

RARE MOMENT OF PLEASURE

On Sunday afternoon, the family sat in a circle like a religious leader read from a Sanskrit prayer book and held a Buddhist ceremony for children who had suffered bad experiences.

Ammy patiently sat on her mother’s lap, looked around shyly with her large eyes and played with the two candles she was holding.

Relatives splashed each other with rice wine poured from a silver bowl and wished them good luck.

They stuffed white threads for luck on Ammy’s tiny wrists, pinched her cheeks, and whispered her blessing.

It was a rare moment of joy in a grieving town.

In addition to the massacre at the nursery, Panya crashed her pickup truck into passers-by and, in a two-hour rage, fired at neighbors. In the end, he killed the woman he lived with, his son, and himself.

Few remain untouched in the close-knit community.

From dawn on Sunday, the victims’ families gathered in temples where the bodies were kept in coffins. They brought treats for the souls of the dead according to local custom, including food, milk, and toys.

Later in the day, they sat down for a Buddhist ceremony in the nursery, where the mourners left wreaths of white flowers and more gifts.

At Ammy’s home, her mother said she believed spirits were protecting her little girl.

“My child is not a deep sleeper,” Panompai said. “I believe there must be some spirits that close their eyes and ears. We have different beliefs, but I think that protected my child.”

Another relative told local media that Ammy’s survival was a “miracle”.

However, the family had to give him the news that his beloved best friend, two-year-old Techin, and his teacher had died. “Why don’t you pick up Techin from school,” Panompai said to his grandmother. he was asking.

He does not yet know the full extent of his tragedy.

Written by Poppy McPherson; Edited by Susan Fenton

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