The teachers of Kuding Rupa School were identified as Sirinart Tavornsuk and Julin Kampongmoon. They were reportedly beaten by female villagers.

They were freed after tense negotiation and rushed to a nearby hospital. They suffered from broken arms and head wounds. Doctors said Julin also suffered from bleeding in her brain and blood still seeped out from her mouth.

A source said that about 300 local villagers took eight teachers hostage at about 3.20pm in protest of the arrests of two local residents suspected in brutal killings of two marines in Tanyong Limor village in the same district last year.

They then separated the teachers into two groups, reportedly according to their religions. The female villagers then beat the two ill-fated  teachers.

Pairat Saengthong, a provincial educational chief said after tense negotiation, the villagers freed Sirinart and Jurin who had bruises and cuts.

Narathiwat's Governor Pracha Tehrat said earlier officials negotiated with the villages on the condition that the authorities would not exchange the teachers with the suspects.

During the stand off, the villagers scattered spikes on the road leading to the school to obstruct security officials who are mobilising to the area.

The incident came the first week of the new semester. The school is ended and students have left the school.

The Nation