Thailand’s prime minister has promised tougher gun laws after the Thailand school shooting near Bangkok left eight people dead and 22 injured. The attack, carried out by a 14-year-old student, unfolded at his home and at Debsirin School in Nonthaburi before he killed himself.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he wants new rules to limit who can carry firearms in public, with exceptions only for government officials on duty. He said the attack should never have happened and called it deeply painful for the country. The proposal comes as Thailand faces renewed pressure to confront gun access and weak enforcement.
Police said the teenager first shot his grandparents at the flat they shared in the early morning hours, killing both with single shots to the head. He then traveled to the school carrying the gun and dozens of bullets. Reuters reported that he attended two classes before opening fire about half an hour into the second lesson.
Investigators said he began shooting from the school’s sixth floor, where three teachers were killed. Police Major General Dejrapee Kongdee told Reuters that the attacker then moved down the stairs and fatally shot the deputy director and the director’s secretary. Police later found the teenager after he had shot himself.
Officials said five people were killed immediately and at least 23 were wounded. Thai media later reported that an eighth victim died from injuries, pushing the death toll higher. National police chief Gen Kittiratt Phanphet said forensic officers found the attacker’s shots were highly accurate and struck vital areas.
