On Friday, a tragic incident occurred at a high school near Bangkok, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and leaving more than 20 wounded. Authorities stated that the 14-year-old suspect had fatally shot his grandparents at their residence earlier that morning before carrying out the school attack.
The shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located in Nonthaburi province northwest of Bangkok. According to Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee, the attack commenced around 10 a.m., resulting in the deaths of five school staff members, including teachers and administrators. Following the attack, the shooter took his own life.
Before the school shooting, the boy reportedly killed his grandparents at the home they shared. The incident prompted an immediate response from local hospitals; Bangyai Hospital, approximately three miles from the school, reported 23 injured individuals, 10 of whom were in critical condition, mostly with gunshot wounds. Initial casualty figures varied.
“Students hid in classrooms as they heard gunshots from another building,” recalled a witness. Police eventually cleared the area, allowing students to exit. Amporn Niamfuang, a local restaurant owner, described hearing a single gunshot followed by multiple shots, causing students to flee onto the street in fear.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, after assessing the scene, confirmed that the shooter was a 14-year-old who had shown signs of stress related to school. He also noted that the gun used was legally registered to the shooter’s grandfather.
Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership in Asia. Statistics from Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org in 2017 estimated civilian gun ownership in Thailand at about 15.1 guns per 100 people, compared to less than one per 100 in Malaysia.
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