Teen shooting sparks push for tougher gun laws in Thailand

International

A DEADLY shooting near Bangkok has put Thailand’s gun laws under renewed scrutiny, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowing tougher restrictions on who can carry firearms in public.

The pledge came after a 14-year-old student allegedly killed eight people and injured at least 22 in an attack that began at his grandparents’ home and continued at his school in Nonthaburi.

Anutin said proposed legislation would allow only government officials on duty to carry guns in public. He said the tragedy “shouldn’t have happened”.

“I don’t just feel sorry for the victims but I feel sorry that this happened. How can this happen in our country,” Anutin said in a BBC report.

The teenager is believed to have shot his 73-year-old grandfather and 74-year-old grandmother at their two-storey flat at about 05:00 local time on Friday (22:00 GMT on Thursday), according to a Thai police official.

He then travelled to Debsirin School carrying the firearm and dozens of bullets, Reuters reported. He attended his first class at 08:30 and a second at 09:20.

About 30 minutes into the second class, he allegedly drew the gun and opened fire.

Police Major General Dejrapee Kongdee told Reuters that three teachers were killed on the school’s sixth floor before the teenager went downstairs and shot the school’s deputy director and the director’s secretary on the staircase.

Police arrived while the attack was ongoing and found the teenager at about 10:40 after he had shot himself, Dejrapee said.

Five people were initially reported killed and at least 23 wounded.

Thailand’s public broadcaster and the Bangkok Post later reported that an eighth victim had died from their injuries.

National police chief Gen Kittiratt Phanphet said forensic officers found that several of the teenager’s shots had struck vital parts of the victims’ bodies. Anutin described the attack as “well prepared” with “clear steps and clear goals”.

Police Colonel Thadsakorn Konthong said the gun and ammunition belonged to the teenager’s grandfather. An initial inspection found signs that the firearm had been searched for inside his bedroom. Thai and international media reported that the gun was legally registered and covered by a permit.

Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, about four million of which are believed to be illegal. Illegal firearm possession can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, although enforcement has remained a challenge.

Anutin introduced several firearms measures as interior minister, including a temporary ban on new gun licences and import restrictions.

Local media reported that police found videos related to US school shootings on devices belonging to the teenager. Family members described him as quiet and well behaved, while his uncle said he spent much of his time indoors playing violent video games. He said there had been no indication of an impending attack.

The teenager lived with his grandparents after his parents divorced.(MyTVCebu)