In a tragic event in Uthai Sawan, Thailand, three-year-old Paweenuch Supholwong miraculously survived a violent attack on her nursery that claimed the lives of 36 individuals, including 24 children. She was found unharmed amidst the chaos, believed to have been spared by the gunman mistaking her for a lifeless body.
Paweenuch, affectionately known as “Ammy,” was found sleeping peacefully by rescuers, shielded from the harrowing scene. The incident, which occurred in October 2022, shocked the tight-knit community of Uthai Sawan, where such violence was unprecedented.
The assailant, identified as former police officer Panya Kamrap, had been dismissed for drug-related charges earlier in the year. Following the massacre, he took his own life after killing his wife and son. Authorities have not definitively determined a motive for the attack.
Paweenuch’s parents, who work in Bangkok, were devastated by the news of the assault on their daughter’s nursery. Despite the tragedy, they were relieved to find her unharmed in her grandmother’s care. However, Paweenuch’s innocence was shattered when she inquired about her missing best friend, who tragically did not survive.
Following the incident, the community gathered at temples to mourn and honor the victims. Paweenuch, described as a miracle survivor, received traditional Buddhist rituals to call back her spirit after the trauma she endured. Despite the relief of her survival, her mother grieved the loss of a cousin in the massacre.
The local nursery, which typically catered to around 90 children, became a scene of horror and heartbreak. The sense of security in Uthai Sawan was shattered, leaving residents grappling with the aftermath of such a devastating event. The government swiftly offered support to affected families to cover funeral expenses and provide psychological aid in the wake of the tragedy.