Thailand has suspended the issuance of firearms licenses following a deadly shooting at a prestigious school northwest of Bangkok, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. The temporary suspension will remain in effect until new gun control legislation is enacted.
The attack occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi school, where a 14-year-old student opened fire after killing his grandparents. The teenager fired at least 26 bullets from his grandfather's gun, killing five people at the school and wounding more than 30 others before taking his own life. Nine victims remained in critical condition following the shooting.
The incident has intensified pressure on the Thai government to address gun violence. Prime Minister Charnvirakul ordered the interior ministry and police to halt all license issuances for firearm possession, purchase, and carrying. He called for "tighter controls and decisive penalties" to prevent future attacks.
Thailand has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, ranking 13th globally for small-gun possession according to a 2017 Swiss survey. The country has experienced multiple mass shootings in recent years, including attacks at shopping malls and schools. A 2022 assault in northeastern Thailand killed 37 people, including 22 children.
According to Piyaporn Tunneekul, an associate professor at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Thailand's current licensing system lacks critical safeguards. The regime does not require mental health screening for applicants and does not mandate periodic reassessments for existing license holders. These gaps have allowed individuals with potential warning signs to obtain weapons.
Survivors and staff at Debsirin Nonthaburi described the chaos and trauma of the attack. Pichanan Thiengtham, an art teacher, initially could not believe the sounds were gunshots. Once she realized what was happening, she helped injured students receive first aid and transfer to the school's hospital building. English teacher Prompong Namwong said he believed he would die when he heard the shooting begin.
Emergency responders found casualties throughout the school building, including teachers with injuries to their chests and backs. Students evacuated so quickly that they left their shoes behind in classrooms and hallways as they fled.
The Debsirin network, where the shooting occurred, was founded by the Thai royal family and counts prime ministers and scholars among its alumni. The attack represents a tragic incident at one of Thailand's most prestigious educational institutions.
Whether the suspension of new permits will become permanent or evolve into comprehensive gun control reform remains uncertain. The prime minister did not provide specific details about what the new legislation would include, though earlier statements suggested restrictions that would limit gun carrying to government officials on duty.