Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has urged the public to avoid speculating that bullying was behind a shooting at a school in Bang Kruai district, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
He said investigators should be given the opportunity to establish the facts surrounding the incident, while stressing that tighter firearm controls were needed to prevent similar tragedies.
“The actual facts must be determined by investigators. Firearm controls should be tightened. Anyone carrying a firearm in a public place without permission could face serious criminal charges,” he said.
The remarks came after claims circulated that the 14-year-old male student responsible for the shooting had been bullied. However, a schoolmate reportedly disputed the allegation, saying the teenager preferred to keep to himself and was not known as a bullying victim.
The student allegedly used a 9mm pistol to target teachers and fellow students on Friday after first shooting dead his grandfather and grandmother.
At least nine people were killed while another 21 were injured in the attack before the teenager died by suicide.
Preliminary investigations also found that the student had previously brought an air rifle to school, which was confiscated by a teacher last year.
Authorities said the teenager was also known to have watched violent content online and had used social media to learn how to handle firearms.
Police said the teenager had shown an interest in learning about firearms for around two years, highlighting concerns over how easily young people can access potentially dangerous material and information online.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for Police Region 1, Atthapol Anusit, said the investigation would continue to establish the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Authorities are expected to examine the teenager’s access to firearms, online activities and previous behaviour as part of efforts to determine what led to the deadly attack.
