A student opened fire at a school near Bangkok, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including three teachers and three students, and injuring 15 others. This incident marks one of the deadliest school shootings in Thailand in recent years.
According to reports from Yonhap News, CNN, and Reuters, the suspect, an eighth-grade student, fired a handgun at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in the Bang Kruai area of Nonthaburi province, located northwest of Bangkok, on the morning of the incident.
Thai police confirmed that six people, including three teachers and three students, were killed, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven when including the suspect, who reportedly took his own life after the shooting. Among the injured, some are reported to be in critical condition.
Local media outlet Khaosod also reported that the deceased included three teachers, three students, and the suspect, totaling seven.
The school, which has approximately 3,000 students enrolled, initiated an emergency evacuation following the shooting. Footage verified by CNN showed students crying and hiding under desks after hearing gunfire, while other videos captured staff guiding students out of the school.
An 18-year-old student told Reuters, "At first, I thought it was fireworks or someone banging on something. I heard gunshots several times, and then it went quiet for a moment before the shooting resumed."
After the shooting, the suspect barricaded himself on the third floor of the school building and was in a standoff with police before taking his own life. Authorities secured a handgun and multiple rounds of ammunition from the scene.
Investigators believe the handgun used in the shooting belonged to the suspect's family, but the circumstances surrounding how he obtained the weapon remain unclear. Police are focusing their investigation on the motive for the attack and the source of the firearm.
This incident has reignited discussions about gun control in Thailand. According to data from the Swiss-based Small Arms Survey in 2017, Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million privately owned firearms, equating to about 15 guns per 100 people.
School shootings have become a recurring issue in Thailand. In February, a shooting at a school in Hat Yai resulted in the death of one teacher and injuries to a student. In 2022, a tragic incident in Nong Bua Lam Phu province saw 36 people, including 24 children, killed in a mass attack involving firearms and knives, marking the deadliest massacre of children in Thailand's history.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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