In brief
A teenage boy, aged 14, opened fire at his grandparents’ home and a nearby branch of the historic Debsirin School, taking the lives of two grandparents and five teachers while bombarding the campus with a handgun. The assault left over 30 people wounded and nine in critical condition. Authorities say the gun was a family 9 mm handgun, and the teenager was known to the school. The incident has reignited debate on civilian gun ownership and enforcement of gun laws in Thailand.
A 14‑year‑old boy opened fire at his grandparents’ house and the nearby Thai school on the outskirts of Bangkok, killing seven people – two grandparents and five teachers – and wounding more than thirty students and staff.
The Thai Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, confirmed that the shooter had more than 30 rounds left when he turned the gun on himself, indicating a premeditated attack. Police reports added that his shots were highly accurate, with many hits in vital areas. The school – a branch of the historic Debsirin School – serves as a flagship educational institution in Thailand.
Victims were reportedly drawn from the targeted family’s home and the school. In the schools the students describe corridors filled with gunfire, a sudden dictation of shots, and the sudden disappearance of a teacher. The 9‑mm handgun used was found to be owned by the shooter’s grandfather, a former teacher.
In the aftermath, schools across the region halted classes and the Debsirin branch issued a public appeal for blood donors. Authorities urged residents to stay away from the area, while government officials reiterated strict gun‑control laws, citing the high rates of illegal gun possession in Thailand.
