Drawing lessons from the shooting, experts recommend raising controls on BB guns and blank guns to prevent children from becoming familiar with firearms and to close loopholes exploited by illegal guns. Academics propose establishing school safety committees involving communities and police to help oversee security.
Following the incident where a male student in grade 9 carried out a shooting at Thepsirin Nonthaburi School, resulting in over nine deaths and many injuries, questions arose about how such young individuals can access and use firearms to commit such tragic acts, and what measures should be taken to create "schools" as truly safe spaces for children.
Thairath Online's special news team discussed this issue with Mr. Montri Tanjaiseu, a firearms expert, and Associate Professor Police Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Krisanapong Putrakul, an independent academic and criminologist, to analyze the lessons and find preventive measures.
Mr. Montri believes that while the Firearms Act and regulations on possession permits are already stringent, enforcement and inspection still face challenges. He suggests adding conditions to the permit application process, such as "mental health screening" before approval, denying permits to those with serious criminal histories. Applicants should also undergo training on firearm laws, pass basic skill and proficiency tests, and fully understand the operation of the firearm they intend to possess.
"The problem is that people who meet the qualifications can apply immediately, but some lack proficiency and legal knowledge, which can pose dangers to themselves and others."
Regarding illegal firearms that are easily accessible and often sold online, the government should strengthen inspection and crackdown efforts. Most illegal guns, about 70-80%, are modified from "blank guns," which produce sound but fire no real bullets. These are legally sold, commonly used in film productions or collected. When modified, they become highly lethal, so laws should limit imports or impose stricter controls on buyers.
"I want the root causes to be clearly identified and addressed. Banning legal firearm possession outright may not yet be feasible in Thailand due to social issues like drugs, violence, and crime. However, firearms should be stored at home, and if carried, regulations should be clearer—such as requiring firearms and ammunition to be disassembled and only used for practice at shooting ranges."
Meanwhile, Dr. Krisanapong additionally proposes a "firearm amnesty program" to buy back illegal weapons from holders without penalty, as many may have inherited or received guns unintentionally. This would help reduce the number of illegal firearms in society.
Regarding reports that the young perpetrator had carried a BB gun to school, Mr. Montri notes that BB guns are currently unregulated. Although they are difficult to convert into functional firearms, children's access to them may cause familiarity with guns.
Given the recent shooting happened at close range, the youth involved might not have needed advanced skills. Access to real guns likely resulted from inadequate parental supervision and storage. Young people, with less maturity and self-restraint, gaining access can lead to tragic outcomes.
Similarly, Dr. Krisanapong views the perpetrator's carrying of a BB gun to school as indicative of some interest in firearms. Skills may have been learned from BB guns or online sources. Whether the youth had training with real firearms remains under police investigation.
If children show interest in BB guns, parents should redirect their focus to activities like sports or music. Especially if children engage with violent games or face issues such as family attachment problems, school bullying, these may be risk factors leading to delinquency.
Dr. Krisanapong emphasizes that preventing recurrence requires multiple measures simultaneously, including controlling access to real and modified firearms, online surveillance of illegal gun trade, reliable reporting channels, and sufficient psychiatrists and psychologists.
Regarding school measures, Dr. Krisanapong proposes establishing "school safety committees" toimplement measuresforcomprehensive care,from early detection to response, controlling entry and exit, applying detection technology, receiving tips, monitoring at-risk children, addressing bullying reports, and developing safety training curricula for administrators and teachers.
Budget-wise, current funding from the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Higher Education remains limited. Therefore, local budgets must support such initiatives. For example, schools in Bangkok or large provinces with higher budgets may require regulatory changes to assign local governments responsibility for public safety, crime prevention, and resolution.
"Crime prevention and resolution is everyone’s responsibility, not just the school’s. It involves family, school, community, and the environment."
School safety committees can be tailored to each school’s context, possibly chaired by the principal and including teachers, parent representatives, and local police. This gathers all stakeholders to collaborate, share information systematically, and receive advice from external experts. Starting at the educational district level before expanding to individual schools, the committee would establish safety measures before, during, and after incidents.
For surveillance and emergency response, models from abroad that allowcommunity volunteersto assist could be adopted. Some volunteers may be paid and trained with necessary knowledge and skills to help ensure school safety, easing the burden on already busy police and teachers, thereby enhancing youth safety.