'Mum, don't call me': Inside Thailand's deadly school shooting

A harrowing shooting incident at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok has left nine people dead and 23 injured, marking Thailand's most severe mass shooting since 2022.

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I heard multiple gunshots and felt like we weren't going to survive.

The tragedy unfolded on Friday morning, August 7, 2026, when a 14-year-old student allegedly opened fire. The violence began hours earlier at the gunman's grandparents' home, where he is accused of killing them before taking a bus to the school. Upon arrival, he reportedly began shooting just before 10 a.m.

Inside the school, students like 14-year-old Khim, who asked to be identified only by her nickname, experienced sheer terror. Initially mistaking the first loud bangs for construction noise, students were soon ushered into classrooms by teachers. Khim described the fear as her classmates barricaded the door, turned off lights, and huddled together, fearing for their lives.

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Mum, don't call me, because the ringtone might go off.

Over approximately 40 minutes, the alleged student gunman moved through the school, killing three teachers and two school officials before taking his own life. The incident has intensified discussions surrounding firearms control in Thailand, a nation with a significant rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia. The shooting has brought back painful memories and reignited calls for stricter gun laws.

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Then, I heard a bang that was extremely loud. It felt like it was right next to my ear.