Thai PM vows to introduce stricter gun laws after eight killed in shooting

A 14-year-old student fatally shot his grandparents at home before proceeding to his school, Debsirin School in Nonthaburi, Thailand, where he killed five teachers. The attacker then took his own life, leaving 23 others injured, nine critically. The shooting occurred shortly after 10:00 local time. While the motive remains undisclosed, the prime minister suggested academic stress might be a factor, noting the attack appeared "well prepared." The weapon used was reportedly owned by the shooter's grandfather. This incident, the second school shooting in Thailand this year, has prompted renewed calls for stricter gun control, with the prime minister pledging to introduce new legislation restricting public firearm carrying.

A 14-year-old student killed seven people, including five school staff and his two grandparents, in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, on August 7, 2026. While Thailand has high gun ownership, indiscriminate shootings are uncommon. Other recent incidents include a 17-year-old opening fire at a high school in Hat Yai in February 2026, a market shooting in Bangkok in July 2025, and a mall shooting by a 14-year-old in Bangkok in October 2023. In March 2023, police killed a man after he shot three people. Thailand's deadliest recent mass killing occurred in October 2022 when a former police sergeant killed 37 people at a daycare center. In February 2020, a soldier killed at least 29 people in Nakhon Ratchasima, and in January 2020, a gunman killed three people during a gold shop robbery in Lopburi.

A student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, on Friday, resulting in multiple casualties. Authorities reported conflicting numbers, with some indicating at least six deaths and others stating five teachers and three students were killed. The perpetrator reportedly also killed his two grandparents at home before the school shooting and later died at a hospital. The weapon used is believed to have been taken from a family member. Students hid in classrooms during the attack, and police facilitated their evacuation. The number of injured individuals varied, with some hurt from falls, and the condition of many victims was unclear.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to introduce stricter gun control laws following a tragic shooting where a 14-year-old killed eight people and injured 22 before taking his own life. The teenager first killed his grandparents at their home before proceeding to Debsirin School, where he was a student, and fatally shooting five teachers. A student later died from injuries sustained in the attack. The firearm used was legally registered and belonged to the teen's grandfather. The Prime Minister intends to implement legislation that will restrict public firearm carrying, limiting it to on-duty government officials. Thailand has a high rate of civilian gun ownership, with enforcement of existing strict laws reportedly being an issue.