NONTHABURI, Thailand – A Grade 11 student has described the terrifying moments during the shooting at a school in Nonthaburi, saying she heard gunshots nearby before discovering two classmates had been injured. At Bang Yai Hospital, where many of the shooting victims were treated, students and parents gathered at the emergency department to follow the condition of those injured. Officials from Nonthaburi’s Social Development and Human Security Office, the Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (MCATT), and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were also present to provide support.
The 16-year-old student, identified only as “B” for privacy reasons, said the incident happened at around 10 a.m. during the second class period. She was sitting with friends in a classroom in Building 4 when they heard what sounded like a gunshot. At first, she and her classmates thought it might have been a noise from someone shooting at birds. However, after some students went outside to check and returned saying there was an actual shooting at Building 5, the situation became clear.
She immediately told her classmates to get down on the floor and stay away from doors or areas that could expose them to danger.
Shortly afterward, multiple gunshots were heard at close range. Students were told that the shooter had moved to Building 4, the same building where they were located, causing everyone in the classroom to hide. Another series of gunshots followed nearby before the student discovered that two classmates had been injured. One had suffered a bullet graze to a finger, and she helped provide cloth for the injured student to apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Another injured student was assisted by classmates nearby. Police are also examining images and videos circulating online that reportedly show the 14-year-old suspect handling and loading the firearm before the attack.
The material, which was captured on a mobile phone and later shared on social media, is being reviewed as part of the investigation into the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. Authorities are working to verify the source of the footage, when it was recorded, and whether it provides additional information about the suspect’s actions before entering the school.
Regarding reports that the shooter may have faced bullying or extortion at school, the student said she had no direct knowledge because she did not know many students personally. She also spoke about one of the teachers who died in the attack, saying she had previously studied with the teacher during lower secondary school and never saw the teacher as aggressive or unusually strict. However, she had not been taught by the teacher for about two years and did not know whether anything had changed recently.
The student said the school had not previously carried out strict security checks before students entered, with the main practice being a traditional greeting to teachers. She urged schools to strengthen security measures, including screening students before entry to prevent dangerous items from being brought onto campus. She also called for greater attention to students showing unusual behavior or signs of stress, along with stronger mental health support systems. The student said she had heard that the suspected shooter, believed to be a lower secondary student, may have previously been pressured for money by other students. However, she could not confirm the details and said she did not know those involved personally. According to Nonthaburi Public Health Office information released at noon, six people had died, including the suspected shooter.
The victims were identified as:
- Kittipong Somrat, deputy director of student affairs
- Saifon Sirikitchakajorn, secretary
- Thiwaporn Wanich, guidance teacher
- Acting Sub-Lt. Natchanatporn Nakphlang, Thai language teacher
- Prapaporn Konsila, mathematics teacher
- A 14-year-old male student suspected of carrying out the attack
Eight victims remained in critical condition, including three at Bang Yai Hospital, one at Kasemrad International Hospital, one at Kasemrad Rattanatibeth Hospital, and three at Bang Kruai Hospital.
Five other injured victims were classified as requiring medical observation, with three being treated at Pak Kret Hospital and two at Bang Bua Thong Hospital.
