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At least seven people have been killed and more than 30 others injured after a 14-year-old student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said nine of those injured were in serious condition, while authorities confirmed that the suspected shooter was also dead.
The incident began shortly after 10:00am local time on Thursday, with witnesses reporting gunshots at the school in Nonthaburi province.
Anutin described the attack as “well prepared”, saying it appeared to have been carried out with “clear steps and clear goals”.
The Prime Minister said five teachers and the suspect’s grandparents were among those killed. Authorities said the teenager was believed to have killed his grandparents before going to the school.
A 17-year-old student, Pawarisa Maylissa, told AFP that she heard repeated gunshots while in class. “I was afraid that I would die, and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams,” she said.
Another student told the BBC that she was standing in front of a teacher when the teacher was shot, adding that she and other pupils escaped from the school.
A 31-year-old teacher also told the BBC that he saw pupils running from a building and screaming after the shooting began. He said one of the teachers killed was a close friend who had attended the school with him before they both became teachers.
Police said the handgun used in the attack was registered in the name of the suspect’s grandfather. Authorities are investigating how the teenager obtained access to the weapon and what motivated the attack.
The shooting has renewed concerns over gun control in Thailand, where restrictions exist but firearms remain relatively accessible. It is the second school shooting reported in the country this year.
