Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected suggestions that teachers should be allowed to carry firearms following the deadly shooting at Debsinin Nonthaburi School.
The attack, carried out by a 14-year-old male student, left seven people dead inside the school, including the gunman himself. The student had also shot dead his grandparents before the rampage, while more than 20 people were injured.
Teachers are not law enforcement officers
Anutin said there was no basis for allowing teachers to carry guns, stressing that they are not law enforcement officers authorised to possess firearms in that capacity.
"Such a proposal shouldn't even have been made," he said.
He also urged people not directly involved in the case not to assume that the student targeted teachers because of bullying. Parents were warned to ensure that guns are kept beyond the reach of children.
The comments come as the shooting has raised questions about access to firearms and security at educational establishments.
Tighter controls discussed
The Prime Minister said he had discussed introducing stricter gun-control laws with Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan.
He again stressed the importance of checkpoints to stop people carrying firearms in public places when they have no official duty requiring them to do so.
Rules already cover shooting ranges
Anutin also said the Department of Provincial Administration already regulates shooting ranges. Under those rules, ammunition stored at a range must be bought from that facility.
He said shooting practice and training were not a problem when the regulations were correctly followed. However, firearms should not be taken out of the home or brought into public places.
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10 August 2026
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