BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was deeply saddened by the deadly school shooting in Nonthaburi, questioning how such an incident could happen in Thailand and saying the tragedy reinforces the need for stricter firearm controls. Anutin said he had received a report on the shooting at the Nonthaburi school and had ordered officials to urgently assist the injured and send relevant agencies to the scene. “It is a terrible incident,” the Prime Minister said.
He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, saying he was deeply saddened and sympathized with those affected. “How could something like this happen in our country?” Anutin said, adding that incidents like this were one reason the government would not make firearm carrying and possession permits easier to obtain.
When asked whether action would be taken against the suspect’s parents over the firearm issue, the Prime Minister did not answer and left immediately after the interview. The remarks came after Anutin attended the Prime Minister’s Export Award 2026 ceremony. After the event, the Interior Ministry permanent secretary immediately briefed him on the situation, and Anutin instructed Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwannachawee to travel to the scene.
Polapee said he would inspect the situation and investigate how the student obtained the firearm, including who owned it and how it came into the suspect’s possession. He said authorities would need to wait until the situation was under control before examining the weapon’s registration details and tracing its origin. “The Prime Minister’s policy is clear — firearm permits should be difficult to obtain,” Polapee said. He added that officials had not yet determined whether the firearm involved was a modified weapon and that further inspection was required to establish the facts. (TNA)
