Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to introduce stricter gun laws in the wake of a brutal shooting that left eight people dead and 22 injured.
The 14‑year‑old opened fire at his grandparents’ home in the early hours before heading to Debsirin School, killing five teachers and taking his own life. Secondary evidence showed the weapon used was a legally registered gun found in the teen’s grandfather’s bedroom. Police have noted that the Vietnamese side has strict laws but enforcement remains inconsistent.
Charnvirakul announced that new legislation would limit firearm carrying in public to government officials on duty. He also stated the tragedy could not have happened and plans to make the country safer.
Thailand has over 10 million civilian firearms, four million of which are believed to be illegal. The country’s gun laws punish illegal possession with up to ten years in jail, yet the incident demonstrates enforcement gaps.
During the incident, the teen’s use of the camera was captured while the school was searched for evidence. Police found the attacker’s shots were highly accurate, with multiple strikes hitting vital spots. Officers also uncovered videos of U.S. school shootings on the teen’s devices.
The dead grandparents were shot in the head; the student also died from injuries, the school said Monday. The situation prompted the Thai public broadcaster and the Bangkok Post to confirm the eighth victim’s death.
