A 14-year-old student killed his grandparents at home before carrying out a deadly shooting at a secondary school on the outskirts of Bangkok on Friday, August 7, 2026, authorities confirmed. The teenager then opened fire inside the Nonthaburi branch of Debsirin School, killing five teachers before turning the weapon on himself. The attack left at least 22 people injured, nine of them in serious or critical condition, according to Thailand’s public health minister.
The incident, which began around 10 a.m. local time, ranks among Thailand’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years and the second school shooting in the country this year. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the attack as “well prepared” with “clear steps and clear goals.”
Sequence of Events Leading to the School Attack
Police say the boy lived with his paternal grandparents in a residential area of Bang Bua Thong district in Nonthaburi province after his parents separated when he was young. Investigators believe he first shot both grandparents dead at their home early that morning. Both were found with fatal gunshot wounds to the head after officers forced entry into the locked house later in the day.
Armed with a 9mm handgun registered in his grandfather’s name, the student then travelled to Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, northwest of Bangkok. The school is a branch of one of Thailand’s most prestigious secondary institutions, founded in 1885, and has an enrolment of around 3,000 students aged 12 to 18.
Inside the school, the teenager moved from room to room. Students later described hearing multiple gunshots that some initially mistook for firecrackers or loud banging. One seventh-grade student told reporters she was standing near her teacher when the gunman appeared and shot the teacher. Others said they locked classroom doors or climbed over fences to escape. Witnesses reported the shooter wearing a purple physical-education uniform and carrying a cross-body bag.
Authorities said the gunman fired at least 26 rounds during the attack. An additional 34 unused rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene. The five people killed at the school were teachers and staff members. The shooter then turned the gun on himself and died, either at the scene or while being transported to hospital.
Official Confirmation of Casualties and Weapon Details
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat confirmed the total death toll of eight: five teachers, the two grandparents, and the shooter. Twenty-two people were taken to hospitals, with nine listed in serious condition. Earlier conflicting reports that included students among the dead at the school were clarified by later official statements focusing on the five teachers killed on campus.
Police identified the weapon as a CZ 9mm handgun legally registered to the grandfather, who had previously worked as a teacher. Investigators are examining how the teenager gained access to the firearm and ammunition. The gun had reportedly been displayed by the boy on social media earlier in the year.
Investigation into Motive and Background
The motive remains under active investigation. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the school shortly after the attack, said the boy had shown signs of stress linked to school. Family members described him as a good student who usually kept to himself.
Police examining the teenager’s computer found evidence that he had searched for information about a school shooting in the United States and had played computer games containing violent themes. Investigators continue to analyse his online activity and any possible triggers.
National police spokesman Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphan confirmed that officers brought the situation under control and that the violence had ended. Forensic teams are processing both the school and the family home.
Immediate Aftermath and Community Response
Students and staff were seen fleeing the campus as ambulances arrived. Tearful parents gathered outside waiting for news of their children. Teachers comforted one another while emergency responders treated the wounded. The school was locked down and later evacuated.
Debsirin Nonthaburi School is a co-educational institution known for its academic reputation. The main Debsirin School in Bangkok has produced many prominent Thai figures, including diplomats, athletes and former prime ministers. The Nonthaburi branch serves a large student body in a busy suburban area.
This attack follows a February 2026 incident in southern Thailand in which a gunman opened fire at a school, killing one teacher and injuring a student. Thailand maintains relatively strict gun laws, yet private gun ownership remains significant, and authorities have faced recurring questions about access to firearms by young people.
Broader Implications and Official Statements
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul indicated he would discuss gun control measures with the national police chief. Education officials and local authorities have begun supporting the affected families and students. Counselling services are being arranged for survivors and the wider school community.
Investigators continue to piece together the exact timeline between the killings at the grandparents’ home and the start of the school shooting. They are also reviewing security protocols at the campus and the teenager’s movements on the morning of the attack.
The tragedy has shocked Thailand and drawn international attention. Families of the victims, students who witnessed the violence, and the broader public are left grappling with the sudden loss of life in a place meant for learning and safety. Authorities have urged the public to wait for the full results of the ongoing investigation while expressing determination to understand how such an attack could occur and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on supporting the injured, assisting the families of those killed, and examining the factors that allowed a 14-year-old student to obtain a firearm and carry out this carefully sequenced series of attacks.
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