- A teenage boy shot and killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 others on Friday before taking his own life in the country’s deadliest school shooting in nearly four years.
- Video from inside the school shows students seeking shelter beneath tables, and one student recalled that a teacher was shot while talking to her.
- Police said the suspect had searched for websites on mass shootings before the attack, and the gun belonged to his grandfather and was registered.
- The Prime Minister said the suspect appeared stressed over his studies, and his grandmother, a teacher, was reportedly strict with him academically.
- In response, Anutin said a new law will only allow government officials on duty to carry guns, and the Thai Ministry of Education announced strengthened school security and financial assistance for victims.
- Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat said a mental health action plan would be announced to support teachers and students.
- Thailand has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates in Southeast Asia and has had several mass shootings in recent years, including a 2022 daycare center attack and a 2023 shopping mall shooting.
A 14-year-old boy opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 20 others before taking his own life. The shooter, who had been under academic pressure, fatally shot his grandparents before targeting school staff.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that the suspect had over 30 rounds of ammunition left when he turned the gun on himself. No students were killed, but nine individuals remain in critical condition. Video footage showed students hiding under tables as chaos unfolded.
The suspect's father expressed confusion over his son's actions, stating, “I still don’t know why he had to kill his own grandfather and grandmother.” Authorities revealed that the gun used was registered to the boy's grandfather, and the suspect had previously searched for information on mass shootings online.
In response to the tragedy, the Thai government announced a new law restricting gun carry to officials on duty and plans to enhance school security measures. The Ministry of Education will provide 20,000 Thai Baht ($600) to families of the deceased and 5,000 Thai Baht ($150) for the injured. Additionally, a mental health action plan will be implemented to support affected teachers and students.78910
Thailand has faced increasing calls for stricter firearm controls, especially following previous mass shootings, including a 2022 incident where a former police officer killed numerous children at a daycare center.
“The suspect had more than 30 rounds of ammunition left when he turned the gun on himself, and police say he had searched for mass shooting websites before the attack. In response, Thailand's Ministry of Education announced financial aid of 20,000 baht ($600) for families of the deceased and 5,000 baht ($150) for the injured.”
