A school on the outskirts of Bangkok reopened on Tuesday, three weeks after a 14-year-old student carried out Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly four years, killing seven people including himself.
Debsirin Nonthaburi School resumed classes under heightened security, with police and civil defence volunteers deployed around the grounds while students were subjected to bag checks before entering the school.
The deadly shooting took place on August 7, after the teenager allegedly shot and killed his grandparents at their home before going to the school. At Debsirin Nonthaburi School, one student and five staff members were killed alongside the gunman.
At the school entrance on Tuesday, a screen displayed the names and photographs of those who died, while white ribbons were tied along the fence as a tribute to the victims.
Civil defence volunteers in berets and camouflage uniforms were stationed around the school as students queued for security checks. Some students were seen carrying their belongings in transparent plastic bags.
The reopening brought mixed emotions among parents, with some welcoming the increased security while others remained concerned about their children’s emotional wellbeing.
“I don’t think these kinds of incidents happen every day. It could have happened anywhere,” said parent Natchuda Petpuangpan, who supported her 12-year-old daughter returning to school.
Another parent, Thongbai Muenjit, said he was confident the school would implement strict safety measures but remained worried about his 15-year-old daughter’s mental state after returning to the scene of the shooting.
School staff have received visits from mental health experts from Thailand’s health ministry since the attack, while students are also being offered psychological support.
Student Adisorn Deesa, 15, said he was happy to return to school and see his friends, adding that he found it easier to understand lessons in person compared with online classes.
The shooting has also intensified debate over gun control in Thailand. Days after the attack, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul suspended the issuance of firearm purchase permits and ordered existing licences to be reviewed.
Thailand was estimated to have 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession in 2017, giving it the second-highest rate of civilian gun ownership in Asia, according to the Small Arms Survey.
Schools have also begun strengthening their preparedness for potential attacks. Last month, a Bangkok school conducted an active-shooter response drill to train students on how to react during such incidents.
