Update on the shooting at a school in Kamphaeng Phet: the 14-year-old suspect was on a leave of absence due to illness. Coordination with a multidisciplinary team is underway to investigate the cause. Classes have been switched to online learning until Friday.
On 2 September 2026, the latest update on the incident involving a Grade 9 student who brought a gun and fired inside Wachiraprakanwitthaya School in Nakhon Chum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, a large school with about 1,700 students. Authorities were able to detain the suspect immediately, with no injuries reported.
Mr. Warawut Duangsap, a physical education teacher who was injured while escaping by jumping over a fence, said he was in the gym when he heard multiple gunshots near the building. When he went out to investigate, students were panicking and urged him to run. He ran behind the building and climbed a barbed-wire fence but fell, injuring his elbow and arm. He said if he hadn't fled, he might have been shot.
Mr. Chatip Ruchanaseri, Governor of Kamphaeng Phet Province, stated that according to reports, at 14:00 a student dressed in casual clothes entered the school and fired about nine shots. No one was injured or killed. The suspect was arrested immediately. Afterward, teachers checked attendance before dismissing students. Forensic officers will collect further evidence.
The suspect is a 14-year-old student currently on leave, who entered the school in casual attire and fired a gun in an indiscriminate manner, mostly shooting into the air. It is believed the shots were meant to intimidate rather than target anyone. Other students were in class at the time. The exact cause will be investigated in coordination with a multidisciplinary team.
Ms. Juthamas Wongkhiew, the school principal, revealed that at the time of the incident, she was in a meeting with administrators. Upon hearing gunshots, she looked out a window and confirmed a shooting was occurring on campus. Within half an hour, authorities had detained the suspect. She confirmed there were no injuries or deaths.
Initial conversations with the suspect's guardians indicated that the student may have been under stress and that there were multiple underlying causes.
Guardians had consulted with the school over the past two weeks regarding the student's depression. The student was on leave to receive treatment and was studying online during this period. The school has maintained close communication with the student and the advisory teachers.
The school will continue online learning for two days before resuming in-person classes on Monday, allowing authorities to clear and secure the premises beforehand.