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BANGKOK - Seven people, including three teachers and three students, were killed while at least 15 others were injured after a student opened fire at a school in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok, on Friday morning.
The shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district at around 10 am. The suspect has been identified as a student at the school.
Royal Thai Police deputy inspector-general and spokesperson Lieutenant General Trairong Piwpan said the seven deceased -- three teachers, three students and the suspect, died on the spot.
"Fifteen injured people have been taken to hospital, including two who are seriously injured," he told reporters at the scene on Friday.
Trairong said initial investigations found a 9mm handgun and 34 rounds of ammunition outside the magazine.
"Police investigations revealed that the gun belonged to the suspect's grandfather," he said.
He added that teachers and students had been evacuated to nearby Chanrat Wittaya School, while parents and guardians had been asked to pick up their children.
The national police chief has ordered Police General Hospital to urgently deploy psychologists to provide care and support to those affected by the incident.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also interior minister, expressed sadness over the incident and ordered authorities to provide urgent assistance to the injured and deploy relevant officials to the scene.
"It's terrible, what has happened," he said, while conveying his condolences to the victims' families.
Anutin also linked the incident to the government's decision not to renew permits for carrying and possessing firearms.
"This is exactly why the government does not allow gun-carrying and possession permits to be renewed," he said.
The shooting comes less than six months after another school shooting in Thailand. In February, an 18-year-old man opened fire at a school in Hat Yai, Songkhla, killing the school director and injuring others before he was apprehended. - BERNAMA
