A 14-year-old student killed five people and later died by suicide after opening fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the northwestern outskirts of Bangkok, in Thailand’s deadliest mass killing since 2022.
The five people killed in the attack were teachers and other school staff, while 23 others were wounded.
The teenage shooter fired at least 26 rounds during the attack using a handgun that belonged to his grandfather before turning the weapon on himself and later dying.
Police said the teenager was a student at the school, but authorities have yet to determine how he gained access to his grandfather’s handgun.
In the aftermath of the attack which occurred on Friday, Debsirin Nonthaburi School was temporarily closed, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Education, as authorities began assessing the security situation and the impact of the shooting on students and staff.
The Ministry of Education expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and said it would strengthen security measures at schools while providing financial assistance to the families of those killed and injured.
The ministry also urged parents to ensure their children had returned home safely and to closely monitor their emotional well-being.
“Parents have been asked to make sure their children have returned home safely and to closely monitor their emotional condition,” the ministry said, adding that the safety and mental well-being of students, teachers and others affected by the incident remained its top priority.
As part of the response, the ministry said security procedures at schools would be reviewed, particularly measures designed to prevent weapons and other dangerous items from being taken onto school premises.
It also ordered a nationwide meeting with education district directors for Saturday to discuss stronger school security and additional measures to protect students.
The ministry further announced financial assistance for victims and their families, offering 20,000 Thai baht, about $600, for each person killed and 5,000 baht, about $150, for each person injured in the shooting.
With concerns growing over the psychological impact of the attack, parents were also asked to watch their children for signs of anxiety.
In a note sent to parents, the school said it was “very concerned about the state of mind of students and parents” following the incident.
The shooting also drew a reaction from Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who expressed sadness over the deaths and said the incident should never have happened.
“I’ve sent relevant officials to the area. This is horrible, it shouldn’t have happened,” Anutin told reporters.
Asked what he would say to the families of those killed, the prime minister said he was “very sad that this has happened,” adding that he was saddened not only by the deaths but also by the fact that such an incident could happen in Thailand.
Anutin said the shooting also underscored the government’s position on firearms, adding that it showed “why the government does not permit the extension of firearms possession.”