Six reported dead in Thailand school shooting as police urge students to 'hide' and flee

Six individuals have lost their lives, five believed to be educators, in a school shooting in Thailand, according to initial reports. Law enforcement personnel raced to a school north of Bangkok on Friday after receiving alerts about an armed person on campus.

The devastating incident took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province, with officials urging residents to avoid the area. “Anyone trapped inside a building, hide, close everything tightly, and wait for rescue personnel to arrive,” police stated on their Facebook page.

Reports indicate that at least 20 people were injured in addition to the six deaths. Officials have confirmed the perpetrator was a student at the school.

Thai police and local news sources have reported that the suspected shooter, a 14-year-old student, is now deceased. It is believed his grandparents were also killed at the family residence.

He reportedly killed himself, according to local media.

The suspected shooter was in ninth grade, Dechrapee Kongdee, chief of the Nonthaburi provincial police, told the BBC.

In Thailand, ninth-grade students are typically 14 years old.

Lt. Col. Dechrapee Kongdee, the Nonthaburi provincial police commander, confirmed the casualties and said the suspected gunman had taken their own life.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul offered his condolences to those affected by the tragedy. He said: “This is really bad, it shouldn’t have happened. I don’t just feel sorry for the victims but I feel sorry that this happened. How can this happen in our country.”

Authorities are continuing to urge the public to stay away from the area as emergency services remain on the ground.

Footage and images captured students fleeing the premises, running from the school as police warned those still inside to take cover.

One student recalled initially mistaking the gunshots for fireworks, saying: “I didn’t think it was a gun at first,”.

“There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”

Debsirin School is a prominent secondary institution with campuses throughout the country. Its original Bangkok location was established by Thai King Chulalongkorn in 1885, and it has since counted numerous public figures among its alumni, including Thai prime ministers, diplomats, and athletes.