PM Urges Restraint as School Shooting Probe Continues

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has urged the public to avoid speculating that bullying triggered the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi's Bang Kruai district, emphasizing that investigators must first establish the facts. He also called for tighter gun controls, warning that individuals carrying firearms in public without authorization could face serious criminal charges. The Prime Minister rejected suggestions that teachers should carry guns for self-defense, stating they are not law-enforcement officers. He further warned that gun owners could be prosecuted if weapons under their control are stolen and used in a crime. The incident involved a 14-year-old student who fatally shot his grandparents at home before using his grandfather's 9mm pistol to open fire on teachers and students inside the school. He subsequently took his own life, resulting in nine deaths and 21 injuries, including 19 students and two teachers. A friend of the shooter, identified only as M, asserted with certainty that the boy had never been bullied, teased, or assaulted by classmates. M described the teenager as quiet, often sitting at the back of the classroom, and not prone to arguments. While academically performing well, the boy had repeatedly expressed frustration to his Thai language teacher regarding a heavy workload and a failing grade. He had attempted to improve his grade multiple times, eventually succeeding, and frequently discussed this issue with M. M also recalled the teenager previously bringing a BB gun to school, showing it to friends and using it for play. After another student reported the incident, a teacher confiscated the BB gun and deducted points from his conduct record. On the day of the shooting, M stated that all students, including the suspect, attended the morning flag-raising ceremony and classes as normal. The shooting occurred during a mathematics lesson while the teacher was explaining homework. "Before the shooting, there were no warning signs or any tense atmosphere," M said. The sister of the boy's grandmother insisted he was a good child who never caused trouble. She described him as well-behaved, keeping to himself, not easily influenced by friends, and returning home on time. He played computer games, though she was unaware of which ones. She also stated that his grandparents, among the victims, had never pressured him. Police are interviewing over 20 teachers and students and plan to speak with the Thai language teacher mentioned in connection with the case. Investigations are also underway to determine the origin of the live ammunition and whether the suspect had prior firearms training.