A 14-year-old boy fatally shot his grandparents at their home in Nonthaburi province before traveling to Debsirin School in Bangkok, where he killed five teachers and wounded dozens more on August 7, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The attacker used a legally registered 9mm handgun owned by his grandfather. Investigators found he had fired at least 26 rounds inside the school, with an additional 34 bullets found at the scene [1, 4, 5].
The shooting began around 10 a.m. local time during the second class of the day after the teenager carried the gun and ammunition onto a school bus and attended an earlier class [2, 3]. After the attack, he took his own life at the school [1, 6, 7].
At the start, officials reported seven dead, including five teachers and the two grandparents, but later the death toll rose to nine after a Year 7 student succumbed to injuries sustained during the shooting [1, 2, 8]. Another 22 to 23 people, including students and staff, were injured, with some in critical condition [1, 5].
Witnesses described chaos and confusion. A female seventh grader said, "She was talking to me when [the gunman] showed up and shot her. I couldn't see anything but a [cloud] of dust" [1]. An 18-year-old student recalled, "I didn't think it was a gun at first. There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again" [6]. Emergency worker Kiatikhun Verapongpradith said, "I saw students who had been shot, some in the arm, some in the back, some in the chest. So I rushed to help get them to the hospital first" [6].
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called the attack "well prepared with clear steps and clear goals" and speculated that study pressures and the strict discipline of the shooter's grandmother, a former teacher, might have contributed to his stress [1, 2]. He expressed sorrow, saying, "I don't just feel sorry for the victims but I feel sorry that this happened. How can this happen in our country" [2].
Debsirin School, established in 1885, had about 3,100 students and 147 teachers enrolled in 2025 [7, 3]. The attack shocked the school and the nation.
The Thai government announced plans to tighten gun laws, restricting public firearm carrying to government officials on duty, in response to the shooting [2].
The backlash follows the shooting timeline: the teenager shot his grandparents at 5 a.m., boarded a bus with the gun by 8:30 a.m., attended first class, then opened fire during the second at 9:20 a.m. [2]. Emergency services were alerted by 10 a.m., and Prime Minister Anutin pledged stricter gun controls later that day [1, 2].
The authorities are continuing investigations and have not disclosed further details on motives or security changes at the school.
