I was standing in front of my teacher when she was shot, Thai pupil says

On Friday, a tense atmosphere enveloped a prestigious school near Bangkok as gunfire erupted during final class hours. A 14-year-old boy, wielding a 9mm handgun belonging to his grandfather, opened fire inside Debsirin School in Nonthaburi. The shaken seventh grader, standing near the school gates, recounted witnessing the teacher being shot while she spoke with him.

The shooter methodically moved from room to room, killing five teachers and injuring over 30 people, including students. He then turned the gun on himself. Earlier, the gunman had killed his own grandparents. The girl, who cannot be named, described her fear and despair, recalling her mother's words, "I thought I'd never see you again."

Another student, aged 18, initially mistook the gunfire for firecrackers before realizing it was indeed a gun. Rescue workers rushed the wounded to hospitals amidst a crowd of distraught onlookers. Forensic experts noted the shooter's shots were "quite accurate," striking vital areas of the victims' bodies. Education authorities described the boy as a diligent student with good grades, contrary to initial impressions.

While the motive remains unclear, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul suggested study pressures may have contributed to the incident. Gun control reform has been a topic of renewed debate, with more than seven million gun owners in the country, a significant number of whom are unlicensed. The country's porous borders and lax regulations have facilitated the accessibility of firearms.

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut called for a thorough review of gun control measures in light of the tragedy.