BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to tighten Thailand’s firearms laws and strengthen security at schools following a shooting involving a 14-year-old gunman.
Speaking to foreign media, Anutin said the incident highlighted concerns over access to firearms and the pressures facing young people. He identified accumulated and prolonged stress as a factor authorities should examine while the investigation continues.
The prime minister said the firearm used in the shooting was legally registered and stored at the family’s home, allowing the teenager to gain access to it. He described the suspect as a minor who had experienced prolonged emotional pressure rather than characterizing him as a hardened criminal.
Government prepares stricter firearms legislation
Anutin said carrying firearms in public is already prohibited under Thai law and urged the public to await the findings of the police investigation.
He pointed to measures he pursued while serving as interior minister to strengthen firearm ownership regulations and restrict permits allowing weapons to be carried in public.
As prime minister, Anutin said he plans to introduce a broader firearms-control bill. He said the legislation is currently being drafted and would further tighten existing regulations.
Anutin reiterated that ordinary citizens should not be permitted to carry firearms in public.
Schools consider stronger security measures
The prime minister also called for stronger security and screening procedures at educational institutions to reduce the risk of weapons being brought onto school grounds.
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At the same time, he cautioned against security measures that could excessively disrupt school operations. Requiring every student to pass through X-ray machines or metal detectors, he said, would be impractical and inappropriate.
Authorities will therefore need to determine how schools can strengthen screening and security while maintaining practical arrangements for students and staff.
Youth violence and mental health concerns
Anutin said the shooting also demonstrated the importance of addressing mental health and emotional pressures affecting young people.
He said violent behavior among young people can sometimes emerge from acute emotional reactions to immediate stress rather than necessarily being linked to a long-term psychological disorder. He identified accumulated stress as an issue that authorities should examine as they seek to understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The police investigation remains central to determining how the teenager obtained access to the legally registered firearm and establishing the circumstances that preceded the shooting.
This report is based on reporting by the Thai PBS World
