The Ministry of Interior has urgently instructed provincial governors nationwide to implement four measures enhancing the safety of lives and property in educational institutions and public areas by controlling firearms to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
On 8 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Assisit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, revealed that following a firearm incident at an educational institution in Nonthaburi Province resulting in multiple casualties, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an upgrade of security measures and firearm control to prevent similar events from happening again.
Mr. Assisit said the Ministry of Interior has directed all provincial governors to integrate administrative, police, and related agencies to implement four comprehensive measures to enhance safety of life and property in educational institutions and public areas: 1. Provincial governors, as chairpersons of the Provincial Education Committee, must collaborate with the Provincial Education Office, Educational Service Area Offices, schools, and related units, as well as inform local administrative organizations with schools under their jurisdiction, to intensify security measures at schools. This especially involves monitoring individuals or behaviors that might lead to violence, controlling entry and exit, preparing for emergencies, and providing psychological support to prevent violence in schools. Coordination with administrative authorities, police, and local units should establish suitable surveillance, prevention, and intervention measures tailored to each area's context.
2. Integrate provincial police and related units to establish checkpoints and joint inspection points, and conduct continuous, serious patrols and searches in areas and times deemed appropriate. This aims to prevent and intercept the carrying of firearms in public places, the introduction of illegal items into vulnerable areas, and increase the frequency of patrols along routes, risk points, and critical locations. Any violations must be strictly prosecuted according to relevant laws and authorities.
3. Develop localized operational plans by identifying special risk areas and points requiring close monitoring, such as educational institutions, government offices, public event sites, communities, and major transportation routes.
4. Administrative and police authorities must share information and monitor individuals or events with a likelihood of causing violence by integrating efforts with parents, schools, communities, village chiefs, local government organizations, and civil society networks. They should observe, monitor, and report any suspicious signs or abnormalities potentially leading to violence, with early assessment and prevention. If dangerous behavior or events are detected, police and relevant units must be promptly contacted to take legal action, with continuous supervision, follow-up, and evaluation of implementation.