12-year-old student among those killed in Thailand’s deadliest school shooting in years

Key Points:

• A 12-year-old girl and five teachers were confirmed dead in a school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok, with the total death toll reaching eight, including the suspect’s grandparents.
• The 14-year-old suspect, a student at the school, killed his grandparents at home before using his grandfather’s handgun in the attack and then turning the gun on himself.
• Authorities reported the suspect had been under academic stress and had researched mass shootings online; investigations included seizing nine electronic devices from his residence.
• The incident has prompted calls for improved mental health services for children, with Thailand’s government planning a new mental health action plan and tighter school security measures.
• Gun ownership in Thailand is legally regulated but relatively high, with over 10 million civilian firearms, and the government is considering compensation for victims and enhanced prevention efforts.