This is the terrifying moment a crazed axeman rampaged through a school yard in Thailand.

Songkramchai Namrak, 43, brandished the 3ft weapon as he entered the Ban Prong Yai School in Prachinburi province on the afternoon of December 18.

Dramatic CCTV footage shows teachers and pupils fleeing into their classrooms as the crazed father-of-two sauntered through the school grounds with the axe resting on his shoulder.

Village council leader Taem Srathong, who was present at the scene, said: 'The man was causing chaos because he entered the school with a large axe.

'At that time, the villagers and I tried to persuade him to leave the school. We tried to negotiate as peacefully as we can until he finally left. The police later went to his house to arrest him.'

The local official added that Songkramchai had been seen at the school before but this was the first time he was violent. He was reportedly heard looking for his child during the rampage.

A pupil named Aniwat, 15, said: ‘I was packing up the drums after band practice when the man approached, shouting, 'Who are you?'. I was terrified and worried about the younger kids practising sports nearby, so we all ran to safety.'

Teacher Kansupak Lertkankasuksak, 57, added: ‘At around 2:30 pm, I saw the man entering with the axe. I immediately instructed the students to go inside and lock the doors. Then, I sought help from the village headman and the local community.'

Staff said the recent school emergency drills had helped them respond effectively.

Songkramchai's mother Khoon Namrak, 82, said he lived with his two children at their home. She believed his outburst was caused by stress.

School director Laddanwan Phongam said security will be enhanced at the school following the incident.

Songkramchai was taken to the Kabin Buri Hospital for treatment.

Thai schools have been holding safety drills after a brutal massacre at a nursery in Nong Bua Lamphu province in 2022.

A former cop named Khamrab, who was dismissed over his methamphetamine addiction, carried out a gruesome mass shooting and stabbing spree at a daycare center, killing 36 people, including 24 children, before taking his own life. The tragedy is one of the deadliest in the country's history, shocking the nation and sparking calls for stricter gun control.