BANGKOK — Thailand's death toll from a school shooting in Nonthaburi province rose to nine on Saturday after a 12-year-old girl died from injuries sustained in the attack, police said, as authorities continued investigating the rampage by a 14-year-old student.
The girl died in hospital a day after the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, northwest of Bangkok, according to police at Plai Bang Police Station and Thailand's Health Ministry. The attack also killed three teachers and two school officials, while the alleged shooter and his two grandparents were among those killed.
Police said the teenager allegedly shot his grandparents at their home before going to the school and opening fire. He later turned the gun on himself. Authorities have said the firearm belonged to his grandfather. Police were continuing to question witnesses, including the suspect's parents, as they investigated the circumstances of the attack.
Fourteen people remained hospitalized, with seven in critical condition, according to authorities. Most of those injured were between 12 and 14 years old, the Health Ministry said.
Police said the suspect had fired at least 26 bullets and had another 34 rounds of ammunition in his possession. Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the shooting.
The shooting prompted renewed scrutiny of firearms regulations in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government would introduce new firearms controls and indicated that only government officials on duty should be permitted to carry guns, although he did not provide details of proposed legislation.
The attack is among the deadliest shootings in Thailand in recent years. In 2022, a former police officer killed 37 people, including 22 children, in a mass killing in northeastern Thailand.
Police said the investigation into Friday's shooting was continuing, with witnesses being questioned and authorities working to establish the full circumstances of the attack.
