Thailand PM pledges tighter gun controls after school shooting kills eight
Anutin described the attack as "well prepared" with "clear goals" and said the government would pursue stricter restrictions on the carrying of firearms in public
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to tighten gun control laws after a 14-year-old student killed eight people and injured 22 others in a shooting that has renewed debate over firearm regulations in Thailand.
Anutin described the attack as "well prepared" with "clear goals" and said the government would pursue stricter restrictions on the carrying of firearms in public, says the BBC.
The shooting began at about 5 am on Friday at the home where the teenager lived with his grandparents. He shot his 73-year-old grandfather and 74-year-old grandmother, who both died from single gunshot wounds.
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The teenager then travelled by school bus to Debsirin School in Nonthaburi, carrying a firearm and ammunition. After attending his first two classes, he opened fire on the school's sixth floor.
Five teachers, including the school's deputy director and the director's secretary, were killed. A student later died from injuries sustained in the attack.
Police arrived while the shooting was still under way and found the teenager's body at 10:40 am. Forensic examinations indicated that the shots were "quite accurate", with many victims struck in vital areas.
Teenager used grandfather's registered firearm
Family members described the teenager as "quiet and well behaved". His uncle said, however, that he spent significant amounts of time playing violent video games.
Investigators examining the teenager's electronic devices found several videos related to school shootings in the United States.
The firearm used in the attack was legally registered to the teenager's grandfather. Police said the teenager had searched for the gun and ammunition in his grandfather's bedroom earlier that morning.
Government plans tighter restrictions
Anutin said the government would introduce legislation restricting the carrying of firearms in public. Under the proposed rules, only government officials on duty would be allowed to carry guns.
The measures would add to earlier efforts by Anutin's government to tighten firearm controls, including restrictions on imports and a temporary suspension of new gun licences.
The shooting has also drawn attention to Thailand's high level of civilian gun ownership, which is among the highest in South East Asia.
About 10.3 million firearms are estimated to be in civilian possession across the country, with roughly four million believed to be illegally owned.
Thailand has strict firearms laws, including penalties of up to 10 years in prison for illegal possession. But authorities have faced persistent challenges in enforcing those rules consistently.
