Thai student, 14, kills grandparents and five teachers; death toll rises to nine

A 14-year-old student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi Province northwest of Bangkok on Friday, August 7, 2026, killing five teachers at the school before turning the weapon on himself. Earlier that morning, the teenager had shot his grandparents at their home. A 12-year-old girl injured in the attack died two days later, raising the total death toll to nine, including the shooter.

The suspect used a 9-millimeter handgun that was legally registered to his grandfather. Police said the teenager had shown interest in firearms for one to two years and had learned to use the gun through social media. Authorities found evidence that he had watched violent content online and had accessed videos related to school shootings in the United States. A teacher had previously confiscated a BB gun that the teenager had brought to school. Investigators recovered a knife from the suspect's bag and found 34 rounds of ammunition on him; he had fired at least 26 rounds during the attack.

More than 30 people were wounded, with most of the injured between 12 and 14 years old. Fourteen remained hospitalized on Saturday, seven in critical condition. Forensic examinations showed that most victims suffered single fatal gunshot wounds to vital areas including the chest or head. Police confirmed interviewing 17 witnesses and continued investigating the teenager's motive. Authorities cited multiple possible contributing factors: stress related to studies, family issues, conflicts with friends, and access to violent online content. Some witnesses reported that the teenager had experienced bullying by other students, though family members described him as quiet, well-behaved, and polite. The teenager had lived with his grandparents since age two following his parents' separation.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to introduce new gun control legislation, stating that future laws would restrict firearm carrying to government officials on duty. The Ministry of Education announced new safety protocols to be developed over three months, including mental health screenings, emergency response drills, anti-bullying initiatives, and improved detection systems to prevent contraband from entering schools. Debsirin Nonthaburi School suspended classes from August 10 to 14 and began providing mental health support to affected students and staff.