School Shooting Near Bangkok: At Least 10 Students Wounded, Reports Say

At least 10 students were wounded in a school shooting in Nonthaburi province, just north of the Thai capital Bangkok, on Friday morning, according to local media reports. The incident took place at a well-known high school in Bang Kruai district, with initial reports indicating that between 10 and 15 people were injured.

Thai PBS, a local broadcaster, reported the incident, saying, “A shooting has occurred at a well-known high school in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province. Initial reports indicate 10-15 people have been injured.” The broadcaster did not immediately provide further details about the condition of those wounded or the circumstances leading to the shooting.

Authorities in Nonthaburi province could not be immediately reached by news agencies for comment on Friday morning. The lack of immediate official information has left many details unconfirmed, including the identity and motive of the shooter, as well as the full extent of the casualties.

School shootings are relatively uncommon in Thailand, but the country has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region. It is estimated that around 10 million firearms are in circulation in the country, which has a population of roughly 70 million. That translates to approximately one firearm for every seven inhabitants, according to recent surveys and registered data. However, a significant number of these weapons are unregistered, making regulation and oversight challenging.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students and teachers in Thai schools. Education authorities have not yet issued a statement, but parents and community members are likely to demand stricter gun control measures and enhanced security in educational institutions. Previous incidents of gun violence in Thailand, including a mass shooting at a mall in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2020 and a day-care centre attack in Nong Bua Lamphu in 2022, have led to public debate over firearms but have resulted in little legislative change.

Local police and emergency medical teams are on the scene, and the injured are being transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The school has reportedly been placed on lockdown, and students have been evacuated to safe locations. Authorities are expected to release an official statement later today, which will provide more information about the attacker and the sequence of events.

The Thai government has not yet commented publicly on the incident. In the meantime, the Ministry of Education has been alerted, and officials are likely to review security measures in schools across the country, especially in provinces bordering the capital.

This incident occurs amid growing concerns about the prevalence of firearms in Thai society. According to the GunPolicy.org database, Thailand has a high rate of gun-related deaths compared to its neighbours, although detailed statistics are often inconsistent due to underreporting. The private possession of firearms is legal in Thailand with a license, but illegal trafficking remains a major problem.

For now, the priority is to provide care for the injured and support for the school community. Counsellors and psychologists have been dispatched to the scene to help students and staff cope with trauma. The school’s administration has asked parents to remain calm and wait for official communication regarding the safety of their children.

As the situation develops, authorities are urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, which could cause panic and hinder emergency response efforts. The police have promised a thorough investigation to determine how the shooter obtained the weapon and what led to the attack.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available from official sources.