Thai School Shooting Leaves 9 Dead; 14-Year-Old Gunman Suspected of Being Bullied for Years | WPN World People News

A serious school shooting occurred in Thailand on the 7th, when a student allegedly killed his grandparents before taking a gun to a school on the outskirts of Bangkok and opening fire. The attack left nine people dead and 23 others injured. The 14-year-old suspect subsequently died by suicide. The incident is being described as Thailand’s deadliest shooting since 2022, reigniting debate over gun control in the country.

On the morning of the 7th, gunfire was reported at the Nonthaburi campus of Debsirin School, located near Bangkok. Investigators said the gunman fired at least 26 rounds inside the school and was carrying more than 30 rounds of ammunition. Unlike many school shooting cases, the 14-year-old suspect allegedly first killed his grandparents at home before going to the school and shooting teachers and students. He eventually shot himself, but not before killing at least five school staff members.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the teenager was under excessive academic pressure and described the attack as deliberate and premeditated. Local media reported that the suspect’s parents were divorced and that he had been raised by his grandparents. Classmates reportedly said he was frequently mocked and bullied by other students. Other reports indicated that, one day before the shooting, the teenager had allegedly been locked inside a school restroom by other students. Police believe he brought a firearm registered to his grandfather onto the school grounds and may have intended to attack classmates who had bullied him. However, after teachers evacuated students from their classrooms, the teachers themselves became targets.

The shooting has sparked widespread debate in Thailand and renewed attention to school bullying. A survey reported by Thai media found that 29% of young people in the country feel lonely, 14% frequently experience stress, and 7% of children and adolescents are dissatisfied with their lives.

The incident has also raised questions about how the suspect was able to obtain access to a legally registered firearm and renewed calls for tighter gun control. Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia. According to Agence France-Presse, there are an estimated 10 million firearms in the country—roughly one gun for every seven people. Although the government has repeatedly pledged to strengthen gun controls, shooting incidents continue to occur. Analysts say low public trust in law enforcement and concerns over personal security are among the factors contributing to Thailand’s high rate of gun ownership.

Local media have also pointed to broader social problems, including the breakdown of traditional family structures, inadequate school warning systems, limited psychological counseling resources and lax firearms management. Critics argue that these weaknesses have made it difficult for existing institutions to identify and intervene in troubled youths at an early stage.

The case has therefore raised concerns that lone-wolf attacks involving troubled young people could become an emerging social challenge in Thailand, highlighting the need for stronger anti-bullying measures, better mental-health support in schools and stricter controls over access to firearms.