Thailand Polices Schools After Tragedy: First-ever Shooter Drills

Thu Sep 10 2026 09:28:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 14‑year‑old’s fatal school shooting in Thailand sparks police‑run drills at a Bangkok high school, improving responses and sparking calls for comprehensive gun‑control measures.

In August, a 14‑year‑old opened fire at a school in Nonthaburi province, killing eight students and wounding 22. The brutality prompted the Royal Thai Police to organise the country’s first school shooting drill at a Bangkok high school, testing lock‑down procedures and student evacuation. The exercise, witnessed by BBC reporter Jonathan Head, used the ABC (Alarm, Barricade, Communicate) protocol and a mocked trigger. Police officials say the drills will cut response times, yet critics warn that drills alone cannot replace stronger gun‑control and student‑mental‑health measures.

Inside Thailand's School Shooter Drills After Recent Attacks

After a 14‑year‑old shot a class in Nonthaburi province, killing eight students and wounding 22, panic spread across Thailand and the wider Southeast Asian region.

BBC correspondent Jonathan Head attended the first shooting drill organised by the Royal Thai Police at a Bangkok high school. The exercise aimed to prepare students for an “active‑shooter” scenario and test the police‑school coordination.

The drill followed the ABC method—Alarm, Barricade, Communicate. Teachers shouted “Fire” while guiding students to marked safe zones, police cleared rooms and searched for a hidden “source” trigger that simulated a real gunshot.

“Improving response time is our main focus, and these drills help students practice proper evacuation, potentially saving lives,” Thai police explained. Critics argue the training should be paired with stronger gun‑control laws and enhanced mental‑health support for at‑risk youth.

With the trauma still fresh, the drills have sparked a national debate on school safety, suggesting a shift toward proactive teaching of emergency procedures and community‑based preventive strategies.

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