14-Year-Old Teen Dispatches Family, Teachers in Thai School Shooting, 7 Killed

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:29:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

On 7 August, a 14‑year‑old in Bangkok’s outskirts opened fire on his home and school, killing seven and leaving more than 30 injured.

A 14‑year‑old Thai teenager opened fire on his grandparents’ home and a local branch of the renowned Debsirin School, killing seven people and injuring more than 30. Police say the shots were accurate, and the gunshot was in a well‑prepared attack that ended in the shooter’s suicide. Nine injured remain in critical condition, while the school has called for blood donations and nearby schools cancelled classes. The incident highlights issues in Thailand’s gun‑control enforcement despite strict laws.

14-Year-Old Teen Dispatches Family, Teachers in Thai School Shooting, 7 Killed

Students and school staff bursting into tears

At least seven people have been killed and more than 30 injured after a 14‑year‑old boy opened fire at his home and a local branch of the Debsirin School on the outskirts of Bangkok on 7 August.

The teenager shot his grandparents and five teachers before taking his own life, police confirmed. The gun was a 9mm handgun owned by his grandfather, a former teacher, according to police.

"The attack was well prepared, with clear steps and clear goals," Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. "The attacker still had more than 30 bullets left when he turned the gun on himself," he added.

Nine of the injured remain in a critical condition, police said. Authorities warned people to stay away from the area and to hide and wait for rescue if trapped inside the building.

Students recount hearing gunshots at first as they thought they were firecrackers, then hearing a sudden pause before more shots rang out. One seventh‑grade student saw the shooter walk from room to room, shooting a teacher at her classroom entrance before fleeing.

In a social‑media post, the school called for blood donations. Other nearby schools suspended classes so students could return home early.

Thailand’s gun laws prohibit civilian possession of firearms, imposing up to 10 years in jail for illegal possession. Yet enforcement issues persist – the country has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates in Southeast Asia, and about 40% of these guns are estimated to be illegal.

The tragedy has prompted PM Charnvirakul to express condolences and emphasize that this should not have happened, questioning how such an incident could arise in a country with strict gun control.