A teenage student in Thailand allegedly killed his grandparents before launching a deadly shooting at a secondary school near Bangkok on Friday, leaving at least eight people dead, including three teachers and three students, authorities have confirmed.
According to Thailand’s national police, the suspect first used his grandfather’s handgun to fatally shoot his grandparents before travelling to Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, where he opened fire on students and staff.
The teenager, who was enrolled at the school, also died during the incident. Local media reported conflicting accounts over whether he was killed by police officers or died by suicide.
Security forces and emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene as panicked parents rushed to evacuate their children. Students and school staff gathered outside the premises, many visibly shaken as they comforted one another following the attack.
One student, Pawarisa Maylissa, recounted the terrifying moments during the shooting, saying she feared she would not survive after hearing multiple gunshots from what appeared to be a floor above her classroom.
“I was afraid that I would die, and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams,” she said.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee disclosed that 15 students suffered injuries while attempting to flee the school, although none of them were struck by gunfire.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul condemned the attack, describing it as a devastating tragedy.
“It’s such a terrible incident. It should never have happened. How could this happen in our country?” the prime minister told reporters at Government House in Bangkok.
Photographs published by local media showed the suspected gunman dressed in a purple school uniform and carrying a black cross-body bag, while spent bullet casings were seen scattered across parts of the school grounds.
Authorities also deployed mental health professionals to provide counselling and psychological support to students, teachers, families and others affected by the tragedy.
The shooting has once again raised concerns over gun violence in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of civilian firearm ownership in Southeast Asia. Estimates indicate that about 10 million firearms are in circulation across the country.
The latest incident follows several high-profile attacks despite previous efforts to strengthen gun control measures.
Earlier this year, police arrested a teenager accused of using a police officer’s firearm to kill a school principal and injure two students in southern Thailand.
In 2022, a former police officer carried out one of the country’s deadliest mass killings after attacking a nursery in northern Thailand with a gun and knife, killing 24 children and 12 adults.
