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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Students Recount Terror as Gunman Kills Nine at Thailand School

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 14-year-old student is suspected of killing nine people, including teachers and school officials, at Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok.
  • The incident began with the alleged gunman fatally shooting his grandparents before traveling to the school and opening fire.
  • The shooting, Thailand's worst since 2022, has reignited discussions about firearms control in the country.

Terror gripped Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok when a shooting incident unfolded on Friday morning, leaving nine people dead and 23 wounded. The alleged perpetrator, also a 14-year-old student, is believed to have killed his grandparents at their home earlier that day before traveling to the school.

Students recounted harrowing experiences, with one 14-year-old, identified only by her nickname Khim, describing how she and her classmates were ushered into a classroom. They moved desks to barricade the door, turned off the lights, and huddled together in fear as they heard multiple gunshots. "I heard multiple gunshots and felt like we weren't going to survive," Khim told Reuters, detailing the 40 minutes of terror as the gunman moved through the building.

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

— KhimA 14-year-old student described the terror she experienced during the school shooting.

Authorities report that the alleged gunman killed three teachers and two school officials within the school premises before turning the gun on himself. The tragedy is considered Thailand's most severe mass shooting since 2022 and has prompted renewed debate regarding firearms control in a nation known for its high rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia.

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

— KhimThe student told her mother not to call her during the active shooter situation to avoid making noise.

Khim described the escalating fear as she received messages from her sister and mother while trapped in a classroom. Photographs of the alleged shooter circulated on student chat groups as he moved through the school, which has over 3,000 students and nearly 150 teachers. The realization that the gunman was only a few doors down the corridor intensified the terror.

Amidst the chaos, teachers issued instructions for evacuation as police began to secure parts of the school. However, by then, the shooter had reportedly moved to another building where Khim's sibling was still hiding. The incident has cast a dark shadow over the community and reignited critical conversations about gun violence and its prevention.

I didn't know if the shooter was shooting selectively. I didn't know if he wanted to shoot the whole school.

— KhimThe student expressed her fear and uncertainty about the gunman's intentions during the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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