Thai PM vows stricter gun laws after school shooting leaves eight dead

The tragic sequence of events began on Friday at around 05:00 local time in Thailand, when a 14-year-old boy shot and killed his 73-year-old grandfather and 74-year-old grandmother at their two-storey flat. Each victim was killed by a single gunshot to the head. Following the attack at home, the teenager boarded a school bus carrying the firearm and dozens of rounds of ammunition, heading to Debsirin School in Nonthaburi where he was enrolled as a student.

Police investigations revealed that the weapon and bullets utilized in the shooting belonged to the teenager's grandfather and were legally registered with a valid permit. The firearm had reportedly been searched for inside the grandfather's bedroom. After attending his morning classes, the student drew the gun during his second class on the school's sixth floor, targeting teachers before authorities eventually intervened and found the attacker dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In the wake of the massacre, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated his intention to introduce legislation that restricts carrying firearms in public spaces, permitting only on-duty government officials to carry guns. Thailand possesses one of the highest rates of civilian firearm ownership in Southeast Asia, with roughly 10.3 million guns held by civilians, of which approximately four million are believed to be unregistered or illegal. Although the nation maintains strict laws carrying up to 10 years in prison for illegal possession, consistent enforcement remains a persistent issue.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

"The attacker shot and killed both of them on the staircase."

Police official

National police chief General Kittiratt Phanphet informed reporters that forensic analysis indicated the shooter's shots were remarkably accurate, striking vital areas of the body. Local media and police searches of the teenager's digital devices uncovered multiple videos concerning school shootings in the United States. Family members described him as quiet and well-behaved, though relatives noted he spent extensive time indoors playing violent video games without showing outward signs of planning an attack.

Source: BBC World