Anutin Explains School Shooting to Foreign Media, Summons Top Police Chiefs
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attributes the 14-year-old's school shooting to stress and multiple factors, pledging stricter gun laws and enhanced campus security.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- PM Anutin tells foreign media that a 14-year-old's school shooting stemmed from stress and multiple factors.
- Confirms the firearm used was legally registered and kept at home where the minor accessed it.
- Vows to enact stricter new gun control legislation during his tenure as Prime Minister.
- Summons the National Police Chief and CIB Commissioner for an urgent meeting at Government House.
At 4:25 PM on August 7, 2026, at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul gave an interview to foreign media regarding the motives behind a 14-year-old student who opened fire inside the school. He stated that the incident was driven by a combination of factors, with chronic stress serving as a primary component.
When foreign journalists questioned why existing public firearm regulations failed to prevent the incident, Anutin explained that carrying any weapon in public is already illegal in Thailand. However, because multiple underlying factors contributed to the tragedy, authorities must await the official investigative findings from the Royal Thai Police before making a complete report.
"เหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นครั้งนี้ไม่ใช่อาชอาณาจักร แต่เกิดจากบุคคลที่มีความเครียด กดดันสะสมมานาน ยืนยันว่าอาวุธปืนที่ใช้ก่อเหตุเป็นปืนที่มีทะเบียนถูกต้อง และถูกเก็บไว้ในบ้านทำให้เด็กเข้าถึงได้ แต่เหตุแบบนี้ไม่ใช่เหตุที่เกิดขึ้นในที่สาธารณะ"
Anutin Charnvirakul
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Prime Minister recalled that during his tenure as Minister of Interior, he previously pushed for amendments to gun ownership regulations and public carry permits, culminating in a ministerial announcement banning public weapon carry and restricting gun purchases strictly to state officials. Upon assuming the office of Prime Minister, instituting a stricter gun control law remains one of his primary legislative agendas currently underway.
From a public administration perspective, balancing institutional gun control with campus safety represents a complex policy challenge. Tightening statutory regulations on both illegal firearms and accessible licensed domestic weapons forms a critical structural defense against youth violence. Meanwhile, preventative measures inside educational facilities must carefully weigh security screening protocols against student privacy and a healthy learning environment.
Regarding campus safety, Anutin emphasized the absolute necessity of upgrading security measures to restore parental confidence through more efficient screening mechanisms at school entrances. However, he noted that practical implementations would not extend to scanning every student with heavy airport-style X-ray machines, which would be inappropriate. He also added that youth mental health crises in such contexts often manifest as impulsive or acute emotional triggers.
Later at 5:10 PM on the same day, reporters observed Prime Minister Anutin returning to Government House accompanied by National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Panphet and Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Nutthakorn Chaowanasai, with discussions expected to center on suppressing illegal firearms.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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