Thai PM Vows Tighter Gun Laws After Teen's School Rampage Leaves Eight Dead

Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand's prime minister has pledged to push through tougher gun-control measures after a 14-year-old carried out a shooting on the outskirts of Bangkok that left eight people dead and 22 injured.

What Happened

Authorities say the suspect first killed his 73-year-old grandfather and 74-year-old grandmother at the two-storey flat they shared at around 05:00 local time. He then boarded a school bus carrying a firearm and dozens of bullets and attended classes at Debsirin School in Nonthaburi.

[Getty Images]

Roughly half an hour into his second lesson, the pupil is reported to have produced the gun and opened fire. The attack initially killed five people and wounded at least 22; subsequent reports and hospital updates confirmed an eighth fatality. Fourteen victims remain hospitalized, seven of them in critical condition.

Victims and Response

Police say the attacker shot several teachers on the school's sixth floor before moving downstairs, where he encountered and fatally shot senior school staff. The suspect later shot himself and was found by officers at the scene. Forensic investigators reported the shots were accurate and struck vital areas.

Police have been combing over the school for evidence [Getty Images]

Weapon, Motive and Evidence

Police Colonel Thadsakorn Konthong said the firearm and ammunition used in the attack belonged to the teenager's grandfather; an initial search suggested the weapon had been looked for inside the grandfather's bedroom. Thai and international media reported that the gun had been legally registered and carried a permit.

Investigators have examined the teenager's devices and reportedly found videos related to school shootings in the United States. Family members described the boy in local media as quiet and well behaved; an uncle said he largely stayed indoors playing violent video games and showed no clear warning signs of a planned attack. The suspect had been living with his grandparents following his parents' divorce.

[BBC]

Government Reaction and Proposed Changes

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called the incident “a tragedy that shouldn't have happened” and announced plans to introduce legislation sharply restricting the public carrying of firearms. Under the measures he outlined, only government officials on duty would be permitted to carry guns in public.

As interior minister, Anutin previously introduced several gun-control steps, including a temporary ban on new gun licences and tighter import restrictions. He said the shooting appeared "well prepared" with "clear steps and clear goals."

Context: Gun Ownership in Thailand

Thailand is believed to have one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia: roughly 10.3 million firearms are estimated to be in private hands, about 4 million of which are thought to be unregistered or illegally owned. Thai law imposes strict penalties — illegal possession can carry up to 10 years in prison — but authorities acknowledge enforcement is inconsistent.

Ongoing Investigation

Police continue to comb the school and examine digital evidence as part of an ongoing investigation. Officials have not publicly disclosed a motive beyond the materials recovered from the suspect's devices and their early forensic findings.

About Debsirin School: Founded in Bangkok in 1885, Debsirin is one of Thailand’s most prestigious secondary schools and counts diplomats, athletes and several former prime ministers among its alumni.