Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia for gun crime

Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia for firearm-related crime, with only the Philippines having a higher rate, according to data from 2019 compiled by the Global Burden of Disease study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. This information resurfaced after a tragic shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi on August 8, which left at least six individuals dead and over fifteen injured.

The attack, which also claimed the life of a teenage suspect, occurred during school hours and involved around 3,000 students.

Although Thailand boasts some of the more stringent firearm laws in the region, concerns regarding gun violence persist. The weapon used in the attack was initially assumed to be owned by a family member. The suspect, who reportedly resided with his grandparents instead of his parents, was among those killed in the incident.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the alarming number of school shootings in the United States, with CNN reporting at least 31 such incidents in the first half of 2026, resulting in numerous victims being killed or injured. This global concern over school safety was further emphasized by a recent analysis by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety, which found at least 22 deaths and 23 injuries in the aforementioned US shootings.

The Nonthaburi attack has once again brought attention to school safety, gun access and the data surrounding gun violence both in Thailand and worldwide. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the incident as a tragedy, expressing his shock and disbelief: "It is a terrible incident. It should not have happened. How could something like this happen in our country?"

The Central Investigation Bureau confirmed that the situation had been brought under control, allowing authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.