3 weeks ago
Thailand School Shooter Who Killed 5 Was Under Stress: PM
A 14-year-old boy in Thailand did something very sad and scary.
He used his grandfather's gun to hurt his grandparents first.
Then he went to his school and hurt five people who worked there.
He hurt himself too, and he died.
More than 30 other people were hurt, and about nine of them were very badly hurt.
The boy was a student at the school, and a classmate said he was bullied and interested in guns and the FBI.
Thailand's leader said the boy was under a lot of stress about school, and that his grandmother was very strict about his studies.
Another official thought the boy might have played too many computer games, but his teachers disagreed.
Now Thailand's leaders are talking about making schools safer, helping sad or stressed students, and making gun rules stricter.
Thailand has a lot of guns, and this was the country's worst mass killing since 2022.
A 14-year-old student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School shot dead his two grandparents with his grandfather's registered handgun before attacking the school in Nonthaburi province, Thailand.
Five school staff members — described as teachers in one account — were killed, and the teenage suspect died after shooting himself, police told AFP.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the suspect was "under stress" linked to his schooling and that his actions suggested the assault was clearly planned.
More than 30 people were injured, around nine critically; officials earlier gave a higher toll of eight dead, including the suspect, and initially listed students among the victims.
Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong pledged mental health assistance and stronger school security, while the PM vowed a new law restricting public firearm carrying to government officials.
- Who
- A 14-year-old male student of Debsirin Nonthaburi School, who was not named in reports.
- What
- Shot and killed his two grandparents and five school staff members (described as teachers) before dying by suicide.
- Where
- Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, bordering Bangkok.
- When
- Friday, according to police.
- Why
- Police and the prime minister cited stress related to his schooling; a classmate said he was bullied and interested in guns and the FBI, while a deputy minister suggested possible computer-game addiction that his teachers disputed.
Stress, bullying and mental health
Computer-game addiction
Cause of the attack
Stress, bullying and mental health
PM Anutin Charnvirakul, citing the suspect's close friend, said the teenager was "under stress" linked to schooling; reports said his grandmother was strict about his studies, and a classmate described him as bullied, with leaders framing the response as a mental-health issue.
Computer-game addiction
Thailand's Deputy Interior Minister suggested the shooter may have been addicted to computer games, though his teachers said the aggression was not linked to such addiction.
Key facts
- Incident
- School shooting and double murder at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Victims
- Seven killed (two grandparents, five school staff); the teenage suspect also died
- Suspect
- 14-year-old male student of the school
- Weapon
- Grandfather's registered handgun — 28 bullets fired, 32 left in his bag
- Injured
- Over 30 injured, about nine in critical condition
- Earlier official toll
- Eight dead including the suspect; students initially listed among victims
- Gun ownership in Thailand
- About 10–10.3 million civilian firearms; one source says one per 7 inhabitants, another says one in 10 persons owns a gun
- Government response
- PM Anutin vowed a law restricting public firearms to officials; Education Minister pledged mental health aid and school security
Quotes
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
Prime Minister of Thailand
“"I heard many gunshots very loudly because it seemed the suspect was on the floor directly above us"”
NDTV
“"I was afraid that I would die, and I was scared that I wouldn't be able to pursue my dreams"”
NDTV
Sources
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