Flowers and images honoring teachers are placed outside Debsirin Nonthaburi School following a tragic shooting incident, in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province, just outside Bangkok, Thailand, on August 9, 2026. — Reuters
A teenage boy in Thailand, responsible for a deadly school shooting near Bangkok, had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and had watched violent content online, authorities revealed on Sunday. The government has promised to implement new safety measures in schools.
As the investigation into Friday’s attack progresses, it was reported that the 14-year-old suspect first killed his grandparents at their home before shooting six others at his school and then turning the gun on himself. Police stated the boy had used social media to learn how to operate a firearm.
“Based on witness accounts, the suspect had shown interest in firearms for the past one to two years,” said Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1.
He mentioned that, so far, police have interviewed 17 witnesses. Evidence recovered from the scene included a knife found in the boy’s bag, a firearm, spent cartridge casings, and a personal computer.
“Examination of the computer revealed that the boy had viewed violent content on social media,” Atthapol added. However, there is no evidence yet that he practiced shooting.
Police also mentioned that last year, a teacher confiscated a BB gun—a type of air-powered gun—that the boy had brought to school. The boy had been living with his grandparents for 12 years following his parents’ separation.
The Education Ministry announced plans to develop new safety protocols over the next three months, focusing on mental health screenings, establishing a referral system to connect at-risk students with mental health professionals, conducting emergency response drills, fighting bullying, and improving the detection of prohibited items in schools.
The shooting, which resulted in seven deaths and more than 20 injuries, is the deadliest since 2022 in Thailand and has reignited the debate over gun control in one of Southeast Asia’s top gun-owning nations.