BANGKOK, Thailand — The death toll from a shooting rampage at a school in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, rose to nine on Friday after a 12-year-old female student succumbed to her injuries, Thai authorities reported. The dead include five school staff members, the shooter’s two grandparents, the student and the 14-year-old gunman, who later died after shooting himself.
The attack began at the teenager’s grandparents’ home in Bang Bua Thong district early Friday, where police said he shot and killed both grandparents. He then went to Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, where he opened fire on teachers and other school personnel.
Five members of the school’s staff were killed in the attack. The teenager also wounded more than 20 people before turning the gun on himself. Thai PBS reported that 23 people were initially injured, with nine classified as critically ill. One of those injured, a 12-year-old female student, later died, raising the overall death toll to nine.
The 14-year-old was found injured after apparently shooting himself as police closed in on the school. Emergency responders performed CPR and transported him to a hospital, where authorities later confirmed his death.
Police said the firearm used in the attack belonged to the teenager’s grandfather. Investigators are examining how the boy obtained the weapon and reconstructing the sequence of events at both the family home and the school. Reuters reported that the gun was a firearm belonging to the grandfather and that investigators found additional ammunition.
Authorities said the teenager had been under significant academic pressure. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the attack as premeditated and said the boy had been experiencing considerable pressure and tension. However, investigators have not yet established a definitive motive, and authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident prompted an immediate emergency response at the school as police secured the campus and medical teams transported victims to hospitals. The school has also arranged support for students, teachers and families affected by the shooting.
Prime Minister Anutin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the government would pursue tighter controls on firearms. The shooting has renewed scrutiny of gun ownership and access in Thailand, where firearms remain relatively widespread despite existing regulations.
The tragedy is among Thailand’s most serious mass shootings in recent years and comes months after another school shooting in Hat Yai, where a school director later died from gunshot wounds. Thailand has also experienced several high-profile mass-casualty shootings, including the 2022 daycare massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu and the 2023 shooting at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall.
As authorities continue to investigate, psychological support teams are being mobilized for students, school employees and families dealing with the aftermath. Officials are also expected to examine firearm access and school safety measures as the country confronts another deadly episode of gun violence.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
