Source India Today
BANGKOK – A wave of panic swept through a Thai secondary school on Wednesday morning after a teenage student opened fire, leaving one person dead and two others wounded before taking hostages in a high-stakes standoff.
The incident, which occurred shortly after classes began, ended when elite police units stormed a classroom to rescue the remaining captives and take the underage suspect into custody.
The Morning of the Attack
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as shots rang out near the school’s administrative wing. Students were seen fleeing over perimeter walls while teachers barricaded classroom doors.
According to preliminary police reports:
The Fatality: One staff member was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
The Wounded: Two students sustained gunshot wounds; they are currently being treated at a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
The Standoff: Following the initial shooting, the suspect—identified only as a 15-year-old student—retreated into a classroom with several peers, sparking a tense hour-long hostage situation.
Swift Tactical Response
Special operations teams arrived on the scene within twenty minutes. Negotiators initially attempted to persuade the teenager to surrender, but moved in when it became clear the situation was escalating.
“Our priority was the safety of the children inside that room,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police. “The suspect was apprehended without further loss of life, and all hostages have been safely reunited with their families.”
A Growing Concern
This shooting has reignited a fierce national debate regarding gun control and mental health support within the education system. While Thailand has strict gun laws, the country has been rattled by a series of high-profile shootings involving minors in recent years.
Authorities have seized a small-caliber handgun from the scene and are currently investigating how the minor gained access to the weapon. The school has been closed indefinitely to allow for a full forensic investigation and to provide counseling for traumatized students and staff.
