Thai Prime Minister vows stricter gun laws after school shooting kills eight
A 14‑year‑old gunman opened fire in Debsirin School, killing eight people, including six teachers, and injuring more than twenty-two others before taking his own life. The tragedy shocked the nation and prompted Thai officials to reevaluate the country’s gun‑control framework.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the attacks were “well prepared” and demanded a new set of laws that would “restrict the carrying of firearms in public.” The proposed amendments limit firearms possession to government officials on duty, according to the Thai government’s statement.
According to Police Colonel Thadsakorn Konthong, the firearm used was a legally registered gun belonging to the teenager’s grandfather. Forensic officers noted that the shots hit vital areas, signalling precision.
Thailand, with a civilian firearm population of around 10.3 million, has stringent penalties for unlawful possession – up to ten years in prison. However, enforcement remains uneven, a factor that authorities say contributed to the incident.
The gunman had lived with his grandparents after his parents’ divorce, and family members described him as quiet and well‑behaved. Police investigations revealed videos of U.S. school shootings on the teenager’s devices, raising concerns about exposure to violent media.
Debsirin School, founded in Bangkok in 1885, is a prestigious secondary institution whose alumni include numerous Thai politicians and public figures. The assault has prompted a national conversation on gun‑control policy and school safety measures.
