BANG KRUAI, Thailand — A shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok has left nine people dead and 23 others wounded, according to police, after students and teachers were forced to shelter inside classrooms during the attack on Friday.
The incident, which has become Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting since 2022, involved an alleged 14-year-old student who police said had earlier killed his grandparents before travelling to the school.
Key Highlights
- Nine people were killed and 23 were wounded in the school shooting.
- Students barricaded classroom doors, switched off lights and sheltered inside rooms during the attack.
- The alleged attacker was another 14-year-old student, according to police.
- The incident has renewed debate over firearms control in Thailand.
Students Took Shelter as Gunfire Spread Through School
Fourteen-year-old student Khim told Reuters that she and her classmates initially thought the first loud sound might have come from a nearby construction site.
As further sounds followed, a teacher moved the students into a classroom and checked a messaging group, confirming that an armed attacker was inside the school.
The students then secured the classroom, switched off the lights and remained together while waiting for instructions. Khim said she was frightened that the attacker might reach their classroom.
Student Used Messages to Stay in Contact With Family
Khim was inside Building 5 while her older sister was sheltering in a classroom in Building 4. The two buildings were next to each other.
Her mother also contacted the students after learning about the incident. Khim said she asked her mother not to call because a ringing phone could draw attention to the classroom.
Students were also sharing information through chat groups, including photographs they believed showed the alleged attacker moving through the school.
Debsirin Nonthaburi School has more than 3,000 students and nearly 150 teachers, based on data from the previous year.
Family Tracked the Situation From Hospital
Kwan, a 52-year-old nurse and the mother of Khim and her older sister, was working at a public hospital when she received a call about the shooting.
She remained in contact with her older daughter while trying to understand what was happening inside the school. She also contacted an emergency hotline after learning that police had arrived.
At one point, communication with her daughter was interrupted. Kwan said she waited anxiously until her daughter called back a few minutes later and confirmed that she was unharmed.
Police Say Suspect Had Earlier Killed Grandparents
According to police, the incident began hours before the school shooting when the alleged attacker killed his grandparents at their home.
Police said the teenager then travelled by bus to the school, located about 18 kilometres from the home, and entered the school shortly before 10 a.m. local time.
The alleged attacker later died by suicide, according to the supplied Reuters report.
Thailand’s Worst Mass Shooting Since 2022
The death toll of nine makes the incident Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022. The victims included three teachers and two school officials, according to the supplied report.
The attack has once again brought attention to firearms regulation in Thailand, one of Southeast Asia’s countries with a significant level of civilian gun ownership.
Students and Families Reunited After the Attack
Following the police response and evacuation, students were eventually able to leave the school. Khim and her older sister later returned home safely with their family.
For Khim, the experience changed the way she viewed her relationship with her sister. She said that although the two often argue, being reunited after the incident made her appreciate her sister in a new way.
What Happened at Debsirin Nonthaburi School?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Debsirin Nonthaburi School, Bang Kruai, Thailand |
| Incident | School shooting |
| Deaths | 9 |
| Wounded | 23 |
| Alleged attacker | 14-year-old student |
| Reported school size | More than 3,000 students and nearly 150 teachers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Thailand school shooting take place?
The shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
How many people were killed in the Thailand school shooting?
Nine people were killed and 23 others were wounded, according to the supplied Reuters report.
What Happens Next?
The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events that preceded it. The incident has also renewed public discussion about firearms control in Thailand.
Source attribution: This article is based solely on the Reuters report supplied for publication, including information attributed to police, witnesses and other sources cited in that report.
