BANGKOK: A 14-year-old student killed eight people, including his grandparents, before dying by suicide after opening fire at a school outside Bangkok on Friday, marking Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting since 2022, police said.
Authorities said the teenager first fatally shot his grandparents before travelling to Debsirin Nonthaburi School, where he opened fire on teachers and students. The attack left six people dead at the school and injured 15 others before the gunman turned the weapon on himself.
Grandparents killed before school attack
Police said the suspect used a firearm belonging to his grandfather and fired at least 26 rounds during the attack. Officers recovered additional ammunition at the scene. The suspect was transported to hospital after emergency responders attempted resuscitation but later died from his injuries.
Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong confirmed that both teachers and students were among those killed and injured.
Authorities launch investigation
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident a tragedy for the country.
The shooting is Thailand’s second school attack this year and renews attention on gun violence in the country, which has one of the highest rates of civilian firearm ownership in Southeast Asia. Police are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack.