On a Friday morning, a 14‑year‑old boy opened fire inside Debsirin School, a well‑known private school just outside Bangkok. He killed five teachers, wounded more than 30 people, and then shot himself. The event has sent shock waves through Thailand’s education community and reignited the debate over gun‑control laws.
Sam, a seventh‑grader whose name remains undisclosed, ended up in a video that became a driving narrative of the tragedy. She says: "I was standing in front of the teacher when she was shot. She was talking to me when the gunman showed up."
The girl later had to climb over a school fence with friends to escape.
Police say the 9mm handgun used belonged to the gunman’s grandfather. Forensic investigators noted the shots were “quite accurate,” hitting vital spots on victims’ bodies. The attacker, described by a teacher as a good student with strong grades and an avid gamer, may have been under extreme study pressure.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called the incident a stark reminder for Thailand to review its gun‑control measures. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, with more than a million unlicensed owners.
Families and teachers mourned the loss of their colleagues: a 31‑year‑old teacher recalled his friend who died in the attack, and students huddled together in the classroom as gunshots rang out.
Recovery efforts continue, with paramedics and rescue workers racing to treat survivors and investigate the motive behind the shooting.
