Bangkok Suburb Shooting: Families Recover Victims as School Reels
Families in Nonthaburi, Thailand, began collecting the bodies of seven victims killed by a 14-year-old schoolboy in a shooting spree on Friday.
Relatives of those killed in a shooting outside Bangkok began the grim task of retrieving their loved ones' bodies on Saturday, a day after a 14-year-old schoolboy went on a rampage that left at least seven people dead.
The teenager opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School around 10 a.m. on Friday before taking his own life. Police believe he had earlier killed his two grandparents at the family home. The Health Ministry reported that 16 people remain hospitalized, with seven in critical condition. Most of the wounded are between 12 and 14 years old.
By early Saturday afternoon, all eight bodies—five school staff members, the alleged shooter, and his grandparents—had been collected from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok. Emergency workers loaded a coffin into an ambulance for transport to the victims' hometowns for funeral rites.
Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, said most victims died from a single gunshot wound to a vital area, such as the chest or head. He noted that the wound on the alleged shooter was consistent with the weapon used, which was a small, compact firearm legally registered to the boy's grandfather.
Reports suggest the boy, who lived with his grandparents, had shown signs of stress related to school, though some relatives told Thai media they were unaware of any troubles. The school has suspended all classes from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, with staff instructed to work from home.
On Saturday, the school was quiet, with a minor police presence at the entrance. A few mourners laid flowers at the gate. Charin Siriananchai brought his two young sons to pay respects, saying the tragedy was unexpected and a great loss for the community. Some parents arrived to collect belongings their children left behind in the chaos; one father said his son, who was present during the shooting, was still in shock and unable to sleep alone.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, second only to Pakistan. A 2017 study by Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org found civilian gun ownership at about 15.1 guns per 100 people, far exceeding neighbors like Malaysia. While indiscriminate shootings are uncommon, the country has seen a rise in high-profile gun violence in recent years, including a February attack by a 17-year-old at a southern Thai school and a 2023 shooting at a major Bangkok mall by a 14-year-old.