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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Thai Students in Disbelief After Classmate's Deadly School Shooting

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 14-year-old student fatally shot five staff members at Debsirin Nonthaburi secondary school in Thailand using his grandfather's handgun.
  • The suspect also killed his grandparents before taking his own life at the school.
  • Students described the victims as good people and expressed shock and disbelief at the violence, with some noting the shooter's interest in guns and reports of him being bullied.

Tearful students at Debsirin Nonthaburi secondary school in Thailand clung to each other in shock on Aug. 7 after a 14-year-old classmate opened fire, killing at least five staff members with his grandfather's handgun. The tragedy unfolded after the suspect first killed his grandparents at their home.

I’m still in shock

— Thatchai JaiyenA 16-year-old student expressing disbelief after the school shooting.

"I'm still in shock," said 16-year-old Thatchai Jaiyen, struggling to comprehend the death of a former teacher he described as a "good person" who might have reasoned with the shooter. "I never expected that the child would actually shoot her," he added, his voice faltering.

Police confirmed the suspect took his own life after the school shooting. Among the victims were a math teacher, a Thai language teacher, a guidance counselor, a student affairs administrator, and a secretary. Students described the slain teachers as beloved figures who positively impacted many lives.

She was such a good person. I thought that if she had encountered the shooter, she might have been able to reason with him. I never expected that the child would actually shoot her

— Thatchai JaiyenA 16-year-old student mourning a slain teacher and expressing shock at the shooter's actions.

Classmate Pakonkiat Sangchan recounted seeing the shooter approaching the building, prompting him and others to flee. Another student, Purin Khumchoo, described the suspect as a "troubled kid" with an interest in the FBI and guns, who was reportedly bullied. "My group of friends who knew him said he was interested in the FBI and guns, and that he was bullied by many other students," Purin said, adding he felt depressed for the victims.

My friend suggested that we start running, so that’s what we did. We just ran

— Pakonkiat SangchanA Grade 12 student describing the moment he realized there was an active shooter.

Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership, and despite past promises to tighten gun laws, shootings have persisted. "I can't believe how a child like him could get access to a gun," said Pawarisa Maylissa, a student who hid in her classroom during the attack.

The two teachers who were killed were lovely, and many students became better people because of them

— Purin KhumchooA 17-year-old student reflecting on the positive impact of the teachers who were killed.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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