politics
Thailand suspends gun licences as teen shooter and grandparents he killed are cremated
Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul calls for tighter gun controls and ‘decisive penalties’ after nine dead in school shooting
TL;DR
- Thailand has suspended firearms license applications and is calling for tighter gun controls and decisive penalties.
- The measures are temporary until a new gun control law is implemented.
- A 14-year-old boy killed his grandparents and six others at his school before committing suicide.
- The shooter used his grandfather's gun.
- Thailand has millions of unregistered guns, with over 4 million identified in 2017.
- The government plans a period for surrendering illegal firearms with potential penalty exemptions.
- The Royal Thai police are increasing oversight of government-issued firearms.
- A new school safety plan includes stricter entry screening and increased mental health counseling.
- Investigators are still seeking a motive for the shooting, with possibilities including violent videos, academic stress, and bullying.
- The victims, including the attacker's grandparents, have been cremated.