Key facts
- A 14-year-old gunman killed at least seven people, including his grandparents and five school staff, in Nonthaburi province.
- The shooting is Thailand's worst mass killing in nearly four years.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced plans for a new law to restrict public firearm carrying.
- Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership, with millions of firearms in civilian possession.
A 14-year-old Thai teenager killed at least seven people, including his grandparents and five staff members at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, in a shooting rampage on Friday in Nonthaburi province, a suburb of Bangkok. The incident marks Thailand's worst mass killing in nearly four years. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to introduce a new law restricting public firearm carrying. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, with millions of registered and unregistered firearms in civilian possession.
The teenager first shot his grandparents dead at dawn with a single gunshot to the head each, using a firearm belonging to his grandfather. He then boarded a school van, carrying the gun and bullets, and went to Debsirin Nonthaburi School. During his second class, he drew his weapon and began shooting. He is believed to have first targeted teachers, killing three, before shooting the school's deputy director and the director's secretary on a staircase. After attempting to flee from arriving police, he was found on the fourth floor, where he had shot himself. He died shortly after being taken to the hospital.
Motives remain unclear, though the Prime Minister suggested the boy was stressed from his studies and had a plan. The teenager was described as quiet and not very sociable. The rampage has renewed scrutiny of gun regulations in Thailand, a country with roughly 15 firearms per 100 residents.