14-Year-Old Student Opens Fire at Thailand School, Killing 7 and Injuring 20+

A school day turned into a scene of horror outside Bangkok on Friday when a 14-year-old student opened fire at a high school, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 20 before taking his own life, authorities said.

The shooting took place around 10 am at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok. Five school staff members, including teachers and administrators, were killed in the attack, Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said.

Authorities later discovered that the teenager's two grandparents had also been shot dead at the family home earlier in the morning. Police said the boy appeared to have killed them before going to school and attending classes as usual.

Bangyai Hospital, around five kilometres from the school, reported that 23 people were wounded, with 10 in critical condition. Most of the injured suffered gunshot wounds.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as students fled the school after hearing repeated gunfire. Some students reportedly hid inside classrooms while shots were being fired in another building. One witness said frightened students poured onto the street, with some young girls holding hands and crying as they tried to escape.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the school after the incident, confirmed that the shooter was 14 and had died by suicide. He said the teenager had shown signs of stress linked to school.

Police said the weapon was a small, compact gun legally registered to the boy's grandfather. Investigators said the student first opened fire inside his classroom before leaving and firing additional rounds. Police said he fired more than 20 shots and still had around 30 rounds when he died.

At the family home, police found the grandparents with apparent gunshot wounds. Relatives said the teenager generally kept to himself and was considered a good student, adding that they were unaware of any serious problems he was facing.

The school, which has around 3,000 students aged 12 to 18, has suspended classes from August 10 to 14. Staff members have been instructed to work from home during the period.

The shooting has once again drawn attention to gun ownership and firearm violence in Thailand, which has one of Asia's highest rates of civilian gun ownership. The country has witnessed several deadly shootings in recent years, including incidents involving young suspects.