‘I’m sorry’: Father of Thailand’s school shooter offers first words

A 14-year-old student in Thailand opened fire at his school and home, killing at least seven people, including himself, and injuring dozens more, authorities said on Friday. The incident unfolded in the Nonthaburi province, located north of Bangkok, and marked the second school shooting in the country this year. According to police statements, the suspect, identified as a student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, began his rampage by killing his grandparents at their residence before moving to the school, where he shot multiple teachers and students. The shooting began before dawn on Friday when the suspect, known as Patchata Yimruang, fatally shot his grandfather in the back and his grandmother while she was still in bed. He had lived with his grandparents since the age of two following his parents' separation. After leaving his home, Yimruang locked the door behind him and arrived at the school at 6:20 a.m., participating in the flag-raising ceremony as usual. Shortly before 10 a.m., during the second school period, he retrieved a 9 mm handgun from his bag, the same weapon he had used to kill his grandparents, and opened fire on teachers and students. Eyewitness accounts describe chaos as the suspect moved through the school corridors, firing indiscriminately. Students and staff fled or sought refuge, with some hiding on ledges outside upper-floor windows. An 18-year-old student recounted hearing repeated gunshots, initially mistaking them for fireworks or someone knocking objects. “I didn’t think it was a gun at first,” he said. “There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.” Emergency responders and police arrived quickly, forming a cordon around the multi-story school building. The suspect eventually turned the gun on himself, reportedly after killing at least five individuals, three teachers and two students, at the school. The total number of fatalities includes the shooter, bringing the death toll to seven. Fifteen others were injured, with some suffering severe wounds to the chest, arms, and back. A 12-year-old girl died in hospital from her injuries, and another student, a seventh-grader, succumbed to her wounds later that day. The aftermath saw dozens of police and emergency personnel gathering outside the school, while parents rushed to collect their children and students and staff comforted each other. A 14-year-old student, speaking to Reuters, described the fear gripping the classroom. “I heard multiple gunshots and felt like we weren’t going to survive,” she said. Her classmates had moved desks to block a door, turned off the lights, and huddled near the windows. Her mother had messaged her to warn about the shooter, advising her not to answer the phone due to the risk of the shooter identifying her location. In the hours following the shooting, the school released a message on Facebook requesting blood donations for two students, including the deceased girl. The school, which had an enrollment of around 3,100 students and 147 teachers in the 2025 academic year, faced a profound crisis. Officials, including Deputy Education Minister Akkharanan Kannakittinan, coordinated efforts to assist affected families and address the broader implications of the tragedy. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul condemned the incident, calling it “such a terrible incident” and expressing disbelief that it occurred in his country. “How could this happen in our country?” he asked reporters at Bangkok’s Government House. His remarks reflected growing concerns over gun control in Thailand, a nation with high gun ownership rates and a history of mass shootings involving children. The shooting followed a similar incident in February in southern Thailand, where a teacher died and a student was injured after a gunman opened fire at a school. Investigations revealed that the suspect had previously brought a BB gun to school, leading to disciplinary action. Police discovered a drawing of a gun at his home and evidence suggesting he had watched online videos of mass shootings from the United States. While no clear motive was established, authorities speculated that the suspect may have been under pressure from his grandparents and teachers regarding his school performance. Family members, including his father, expressed remorse, with the father offering only the word “I’m sorry” when questioned by investigators. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun regulations and increased focus on youth mental health. Police Major General Atthaporn Anusit emphasized the need for greater attention to young people, noting that social media allows them to access harmful content independently. “We must listen to them. Focus on problem-solving,” he said. In the wake of the tragedy, Thailand’s Education Ministry announced plans to implement new safety protocols, including mental health screenings, emergency response drills, and enhanced measures to detect weapons on campus. The prime minister also ordered tighter enforcement against public firearm possession and the establishment of checkpoints to curb illegal gun activity. Thailand currently has an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian hands, one of the highest rates in Southeast Asia, according to a 2017 survey by the Small Arms Survey. The shooting has also drawn comparisons to historical tragedies, with some analysts likening it to the Port Arthur massacre in Australia. As students return to classes, some face heightened anxiety, navigating metal detectors and other security measures. Despite the trauma, efforts continue to rebuild trust and ensure the safety of future generations.