A 14-year-old student killed at least seven people, including his two grandparents and five school staff members, before taking his own life on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. The attack occurred at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok, after the gunman allegedly killed his grandparents at home earlier that morning.
The violence began around 10 a.m. at the co-educational state school, which serves approximately 3,000 students between the ages of 12 and 18. According to Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee, the victims at the school included teachers and administrators. The shooter used a small and compact gun that was legally registered to his grandfather, as confirmed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Timeline of the Attack: From Home to Classroom
“At first I heard just one gunshot, and there was a pause. And then there were multiple continuous shots. Students were running scared and pouring onto the street. Young girls were holding each other’s hands and crying. I went inside to hide.”
Photo: Abcnews
Amporn Niamfuang, restaurant owner
Niamfuang, whose restaurant is located roughly 50 meters from the school, described the narrow road filling with fleeing students. Other witnesses reported that students hid inside classrooms while hearing gunshots from separate buildings until police arrived to clear a path for their evacuation.
Casualties and Forensic Findings at Bangyai Hospital
The aftermath saw a surge of wounded students and staff transported to Bangyai Hospital, located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the school. While early reports provided conflicting figures, the hospital confirmed that 23 people were wounded, with 10 in critical condition. By Saturday, the Health Ministry reported that 16 people remained hospitalized, seven of whom were still critical; most of these victims were between 12 and 14 years old.
Photo: CBS News
By Saturday afternoon, the bodies of the eight deceased—the five staff members, the shooter, and the two grandparents—were collected from Bangkok’s Institute of Forensic Medicine. Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, stated that most victims died from a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, such as the head or chest. He added that the wound found on the shooter was consistent with the weapon used in the attack.
School Stress and Family Contradictions
The motive remains a point of contention between official reports and family accounts. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the 14-year-old had shown signs of stress connected to school. However, the shooter’s uncle and the grandfather’s sisters told investigators that the boy usually kept to himself and was a good student, claiming they were unaware of any troubles he faced at home or school.
Student kills at least 7 people at a high school and a home outside Bangkok, officials say
The school has suspended all classes from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, with staff instructed to work from home. On Saturday, the campus remained quiet, with mourners laying flowers at the gate and parents retrieving belongings left behind during the chaos. One father reported that his son, who survived the shooting, was still in shock and unable to sleep alone.
Thailand’s Gun Ownership and Recent Violence
This event occurs against a backdrop of high firearm availability in Thailand.
