Bloody Friday at Thai School: Two Dead
Student opened fire at a high school in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, then took his own life. Sources differ on the exact number of casualties.
Student opened fire at a high school in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, then took his own life. Sources differ on the exact number of casualties.
At least two people were killed and dozens more injured in a shooting that took place on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Debsirin Nonthaburi High School in Thailand's Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok. According to initial reports, the perpetrator was a student at the school who was found dead in a classroom after the attack, with authorities suspecting suicide.
Royal Thai Police spokesman Trairong Piwpan confirmed to the Associated Press that the shooting occurred at the educational institution but could not provide further details. The local police chief in the Plai Bang subdistrict, Pasakorn Chaitawiwong, told Reuters that the attacker was identified as a student and that an investigation is underway.
Information on the exact number of casualties currently varies significantly depending on the source. Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports two teachers dead and at least 15 injured. Thai newspaper Khaosod, cited by Russian state agency TASS, initially reported more than 20 injured, later updating that figure to 15. TASS also notes that three of the injured are in serious condition.
On the other hand, Reuters reported one teacher dead and four injured, citing police sources. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, meanwhile, relays that local channel Thai PBS spoke of 10 to 15 injured. As of now, there is no official confirmation of the final death toll, and police have cordoned off the area and are continuing their investigation.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in the region. According to data cited by La Repubblica, there are approximately 10 million firearms in circulation in the country, meaning roughly one in seven residents owns a pistol or rifle. Despite earlier government promises to tighten gun laws, deadly incidents continue to recur.
As recently as February this year, police killed and arrested a teenager who opened fire at a school in the south of the country, killing the principal and wounding two students. The memory of the 2022 massacre is also still fresh, when a former police officer armed with a gun and knife stormed a daycare center in northern Thailand, killing 24 children and 12 adults, in one of the bloodiest crimes in the country's modern history.
Police and emergency services are on the scene, and local residents have been urged to avoid the area around the school. So far, it is unknown what motivated the young attacker to commit this act, and authorities have not released any details about his identity or possible mental health issues.
Reuters photographer Chalinee Thirasupa captured scenes from the scene, and the investigation should determine how the student obtained the weapon and whether there were any lapses in school security.
