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A shooting at a prestigious school near Bangkok on Friday morning claimed the lives of five teachers and left 23 others injured, including students. A 14-year-old student opened fire inside Debsirin School in Nonthaburi before turning the weapon on himself. The incident began after the gunman had already killed his grandparents earlier that day.
Students recounted horrifying experiences during the attack. One seventh-grade girl described witnessing her teacher being shot while speaking to her, and later escaping by climbing over the school fence. She told her mother she feared she would never see her again. Another student initially mistook the gunshots for firecrackers, only realizing the danger when the continuous barrage continued. Rescue workers arrived to find victims with wounds to various parts of their bodies, transporting them to hospitals as devastated crowds gathered outside the gates.
Investigators believe the 9mm handgun used in the shooting belonged to the gunman’s grandfather. While police have not publicly disclosed a motive, the Prime Minister suggested academic pressure may have been a factor, noting the teenager’s grandmother was a teacher and may have stressed him about his studies. Those who knew the shooter described him as a good student with solid grades and an avid video game player, with no history of aggressive behavior.
The tragedy marks Thailand’s deadliest school shooting in recent years and has reignited debate over gun control. The country has one of the world’s highest rates of gun ownership, with over seven million licensed and unlicensed weapons in circulation. Opposition leaders are calling for stricter regulations on firearms.
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