A look at high-profile shooting deaths in Thailand since 2020

Thailand has experienced several high-profile shooting incidents since 2020, resulting in multiple deaths. In August 2026, a 14-year-old student allegedly killed seven people, including staff members and relatives, at a school in Nonthaburi province, located in the northern suburbs of Bangkok. The nation is known to possess one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, although indiscriminate shootings are relatively uncommon.

A less severe case occurred in February 2026 when a 17-year-old boy stole a gun from a police officer and opened fire at a high school in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. He injured two students before being apprehended by authorities. The boy's actions were reportedly motivated by personal grievances.

In July 2025, a gunman decided to target a popular fresh food market in Bangkok, killing five people before taking his own life. The attack was allegedly driven by a personal vendetta. In October 2023, a 14-year-old boy entered a Bangkok shopping mall carrying a handgun and killed two individuals before being subdued by police. An investigation revealed that the weapon had initially been designed for blank ammunition but had been altered to fire live rounds.

Another notable incident took place in March 2023, when police commandos in Phetchaburi province, approximately 170 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, ended a 14-hour standoff with a gunman who had shot and killed three people. The suspect ultimately surrendered to the authorities. These events illustrate the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence in Thailand, despite the country's relatively moderate rate of mass shootings compared to other regions.