Thai school reopens after shooting under heightened security
Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok resumed classes after a shooting on August 7 carried out by a 14-year-old student. According to Daily Maverick, civil defense volunteers were stationed near the school grounds, while students were checked at the entrance and their bags were inspected. Some students brought their belongings in transparent plastic bags.
At the school entrance, a screen displayed the names and photographs of those killed, while white ribbons were tied to the fence in remembrance. Before the attack, the student shot his grandfather and grandmother at his own home. At the school, one student and five staff members died in addition to the shooter; the shooter also died.
Psychological support
After the incident, school staff were visited by mental health specialists from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. The school is also expected to provide psychological support to students. One parent of a 15-year-old student said he expects strict and thorough security measures, but is concerned about his daughter’s psychological state after returning to the building where the shooting took place.
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Another parent supported the return of his 12-year-old daughter to in-person learning. Fifteen-year-old student Adisorn Disa said he was happy to see his friends again, while distance learning had made it difficult for him to understand the material.
Authorities’ response
The shooting was Thailand’s deadliest mass firearm attack in nearly four years and sparked a debate over gun control. A few days later, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul suspended the issuance of permits for the purchase of firearms and said existing licenses would be reviewed.
According to a 2017 estimate by the Small Arms Survey, civilians in Thailand possessed about 10.3 million firearms, the second-highest figure in Asia. Last month, one Bangkok school held drills to prepare students for possible armed attacks.
