BANGKOK — Thai police are investigating violent online content viewed by a 14-year-old accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at a school near Bangkok, as authorities examine possible factors behind the attack and the government prepares new school safety measures.
Police said on Sunday that the teenager had watched violent material on social media and used online platforms to learn about firearms. Investigators have not said the content directly caused the shooting and are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Pol Maj Gen Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, said investigators had interviewed 17 witnesses, including people connected to the student. He said the boy had shown an interest in learning about firearms for about one to two years.
Police also found that a teacher had confiscated a BB gun from the student at school the previous year. Investigators recovered a firearm, spent cartridge cases, a knife and a personal computer during their examination of the crime scenes and evidence.
The shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province on Friday killed the suspect, his grandparents and other victims. The death toll rose to nine after a 12-year-old girl died from her injuries, while more than 30 people were wounded, according to police.
Police have not established a single motive for the attack. Investigators are examining the teenager's family circumstances, school life, relationships and online activity as they seek to determine what contributed to the shooting.
The boy's mother told Reuters she had not seen signs of unusual behaviour and said he had told her he was not being bullied. Her comments contrasted with the investigators' findings about his interest in firearms and consumption of violent online material.
Thailand's Education Ministry said it would introduce additional school safety measures over the next three months. The plans include mental-health screening, referrals for students considered at risk, emergency-response drills, stronger anti-bullying measures and improved detection of prohibited items being brought into schools.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to question witnesses and examine digital evidence. Authorities have not publicly identified a definitive link between the teenager's online activity and his decision to carry out the attack.
