Thai PM: Teen school shooter was under stress, attack was planned

BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the teenage suspect in Friday's deadly school shooting was believed to have been under stress and had planned the attack in advance.

"Police have questioned his close friend, who said the suspect was under stress related to his schooling.

"His actions also show that he clearly planned (the shooting)," he told reporters outside the secondary school in Nonthaburi province, which borders Bangkok.

Anutin said the weapon used was a registered firearm kept at a house, but the suspect managed to obtain it. He said more than 30 people were injured, with about nine in critical condition.

Local media identified the shooter as a student of the school.

Police said the 14-year-old boy was described as having personal problems and was often bullied by classmates. According to a police statement, he first shot dead his grandfather and grandmother using his grandfather's pistol, then went to the secondary school in Nonthaburi before killing five school staff.

The statement said the suspect also died, with a police officer telling AFP that the teenager had killed himself. Authorities had earlier reported a higher death toll of eight, including the suspect.

Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong pledged to provide mental health assistance to students and to strengthen security at educational institutions.

"We have not checked whether students bring weapons to school. Our security level is not that strict," he told reporters at the school.

AFP journalists saw dozens of police and emergency personnel gathered outside Debsirin Nonthaburi School, which had been cordoned off, while parents waited to collect their children. Weeping students and staff comforted one another outside the school grounds. – AGENCIES