Thai PM vows to introduce stricter gun laws after eight killed in shooting

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to introduce stricter gun control laws following a tragic shooting incident that claimed eight lives and left 22 individuals injured. The 14-year-old perpetrator, who killed his grandparents before proceeding to Debsirin School in Nonthaburi, where he targeted five teachers before taking his own life.

Tragically, a student also succumbed to their injuries. Speaking after the incident, Prime Minister Anutin vowed that the tragedy "shouldn't have happened" and expressed deep sorrow for both the victims and the circumstances that led to such a senseless act.

In his address, the Prime Minister outlined plans to restrict the carrying of firearms in public, with only government officials on duty permitted to carry arms. This proposed legislation would effectively limit the availability of firearms to a select few, aiming to curb the pervasive issue of civilian gun ownership in Thailand.

Notably, the country boasts one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with approximately 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, including around four million which are believed to be possessed illegally.

International and local media outlets have reported that the firearm used in the attack was legally registered and held a permit. However, sources suggest that the gun belonged to the teenager's grandfather, and signs indicate that the firearm had been searched inside the grandfather's bedroom. Thailand has stringent gun laws, with penalties for illegal possession of arms ranging up to ten years in jail; however, enforcement of these laws remains a challenge.

During his tenure as the interior minister, Anutin had already implemented several gun control measures, including a temporary ban on new gun licenses and import restrictions. The teenager is believed to have shot his 73-year-old grandfather and 74-year-old grandmother at their two-story flat around 05:00 local time on Friday, each victim succumbing to a single shot to the head. After killing his grandparents, the teenager transported the firearm and ammunition to the school on a bus.

He then proceeded to attend his classes, killing three teachers on the school's sixth floor. The attacker subsequently shot the deputy director and the director's secretary while they were ascending the stairs to investigate the disturbance. Police swiftly responded to the scene, locating the assailant around 10:40 and discovering that he had also taken his own life. Forensic officers later found the perpetrator's shots to be remarkably accurate, with several shots landing in critical areas of the body.

The Prime Minister described the attack as "well-prepared" with "clear steps and clear goals." Police have reportedly searched devices belonging to the perpetrator, uncovering several videos related to school shootings in the United States. According to local media, the teenager was portrayed as a quiet and well-behaved individual by his family, spending most of his time indoors playing violent video games and rarely venturing outdoors.

His uncle revealed that he had no prior indication that the teenager had any intention of carrying out an attack. The Debsirin School, founded in 1885, is one of Thailand's most prestigious secondary institutions, boasting a rich alumni list comprising diplomats, athletes, and several prime ministers.