Thai schools told to tighten security after deadly shooting

Thai schools have been told to tighten security after an August 7 shooting near Bangkok in which a 14-year-old killed his grandparents, five school staff and a pupil before killing himself.

At Sawasdee Wittaya School in Bangkok on Friday, teachers checked pupils' bags, pockets and pencil cases as children arrived for class. Headteacher Suparong Sawangngamwong said the school had previously checked only some older pupils or children with behavioural concerns, but was now checking everyone.

Thailand's government has ordered schools nationwide to increase controls after the attack. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration this week ordered schools under its authority to screen for weapons, maintain around-the-clock security and enforce strict rules for visitors.

The shooting took place in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of the Thai capital. The attacker used his grandfather's gun to kill his grandparents before going to his school, where he shot dead five teachers and staff and wounded a 12-year-old girl who died in hospital the next day.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the interior ministry and police to stop issuing licences to possess, buy and carry firearms, and called for tighter controls and decisive penalties.

Suparong said Sawasdee Wittaya already works with local police on emergency drills once a term and has security guards and teachers on daily duty, but he said the school needs more funding. Some CCTV cameras across the school's four floors are out of order, and more are needed, he said.

Investigators are still seeking a motive for the shooting. The attack revived debate over firearms control in Thailand, which has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the region.