Police Question Witnesses in Nonthaburi School Shooting

Authorities in Nonthaburi are investigating a school shooting that has raised questions about the source of 98 rounds of live ammunition and a possible dispute over a failing grade. Police are examining witness accounts to determine how the incident unfolded at the school. The probe focuses on the student's search for a Thai language teacher amid reports of academic concerns.

Police Question Witnesses in Nonthaburi School Shooting

Police in Nonthaburi have questioned 16 witnesses as part of their investigation into a school shooting. Reports on the case were filed this week. Pol. Col. Chokchai Khanajaroen, deputy commander of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police, stated that officers called in teachers and students to provide information. More than 20 witnesses are expected to be questioned in total.

Of the 16 interviewed so far, around six or seven were students who were friends or classmates of the student involved. The remaining witnesses were teachers. Police continue to gather details on the sequence of events at the school.

These interviews help piece together the timeline leading up to the events at Building 5. Officers are cross-referencing statements from students and teachers to identify any inconsistencies in the accounts provided this week. The process allows investigators to map out movements inside the school buildings before the shots were fired.

Additional context comes from the fact that more than 20 witnesses remain to be heard. This broader group includes staff members who may have observed the student earlier in the day. Their input could clarify how the ammunition entered the school premises.

Search for Thai Language Teacher Under Review

The student reportedly searched for a Thai language teacher before the incident. The student had previously complained to classmates about receiving a failing grade in the subject. The teacher, who taught Thai, had been absent from school the previous day and was responsible for giving the student a grade of zero.

The student had generally good academic results before this grade. One classmate arrived at 11:26am to provide information to investigators and confirmed that the teacher, referred to as Teacher A in earlier reports, exists and teaches Thai. Another male student told reporters he was at the scene and confirmed the student had been looking for Teacher A.

The search for the teacher forms a key part of the timeline investigators are reconstructing. Classmates described the student moving between buildings in an effort to locate Teacher A on the day of the incident. This movement directly connects to the later shots fired on the fourth floor of Building 4.

Statements collected so far indicate the grade of zero was the first such mark the student had received. Friends noted the student had submitted all required assignments yet still faced the failing result. These details help explain why the search for the teacher became a focal point in the hours before the shooting.

Investigators continue to review how the absence of Teacher A the previous day may have affected the student's actions. The confirmation from multiple classmates strengthens the account that the grade dispute was discussed openly among peers.

Details on Ammunition and Possible Firearms Background

Police confirmed that the ammunition used was live ammunition, not training rounds. Of the 98 rounds obtained in the case, 34 were found remaining in the student's bag. This means the rest had already been used during the incident.

Friends of the student told investigators that the student liked playing BB guns. Police are now examining whether the student had previously received firearms training or practised shooting, or whether this was the first time using a real firearm. Investigators visited a shooting range in the Bang Bua Thong area to check for any prior training records, but initial checks found no evidence of the student having used the range.

The 34 rounds left in the bag indicate that 64 rounds were discharged during the events at the school. This quantity points to sustained firing rather than a brief exchange. Police are tracing the origin of the full set of 98 rounds to determine how they were acquired.

The student's reported interest in BB guns provides one avenue for understanding any prior exposure to firearms. Officers are checking whether this hobby extended to handling real weapons or if the live ammunition represented a first encounter. No records have surfaced at the Bang Bua Thong range to link the student to formal practice sessions.

Further analysis of the ammunition count helps establish the duration of the incident. The remaining rounds suggest the student carried a substantial supply into the school buildings. Investigators continue to interview friends about any discussions of firearms or ammunition sources.

Parents Questioned as Part of Ongoing Inquiry

Police questioned the student's parents earlier this week. The parents may be called in for further questioning as the investigation continues. Authorities are also looking into whether the student's academic results and the grade dispute with the teacher were among the factors behind the incident.

The student's grandmother had previously worked as a teacher and may have been unhappy about the situation. Investigators are coordinating with the Thai language teacher to appear before them, as the teacher has not yet given a statement.

Questioning of the parents covers the student's daily routines and any observations about recent changes in behavior. Officers seek details on how the grade of zero was received at home and whether it prompted discussions about the Thai language class. These accounts supplement the statements already gathered from classmates.

The grandmother's background as a former teacher adds another layer to the family perspective under review. Investigators note her possible views on the grade dispute as part of the broader inquiry into contributing factors. Coordination continues to secure a statement from Teacher A to complete this portion of the record.

Further sessions with the parents are expected as new information emerges from the remaining witnesses. The focus remains on linking academic concerns to the sequence of events reported this week.

Sequence of Events After the Shooting at Building 5

After the incident at Building 5, the student ran to the fourth floor of Building 4 in search of the teacher. After failing to find the teacher, the student allegedly became upset and fired three shots into the air before the subsequent fatal incident occurred.

Other classmates have continued to provide information to police. Investigators are working to establish what led to the incident and whether the reported dispute over the student's grade played a role. The student had complained to friends about submitting all assignments yet receiving a grade of zero, which was the first time such a grade had been received.

The movement from Building 5 to Building 4 marks a clear progression in the timeline. Classmates described the student checking classrooms on the fourth floor before the three shots were fired into the air. This action preceded the final events and aligns with the search for Teacher A.

Statements from additional classmates reinforce the account of the grade complaint being voiced in the days leading up to the incident. The zero mark stood out because prior results had been strong. Police use these details to assess whether the academic issue influenced the path taken between the two buildings.

The sequence helps investigators determine the exact order of actions inside the school. Continued interviews aim to confirm the timing of the three shots relative to the search for the teacher.

School Safety and Gun Control in Focus

Thailand has faced prior incidents of school violence that prompted national discussion on firearm access. The 2022 attack at a nursery in Nong Bua Lamphu province remains a reference point in current coverage of the Nonthaburi case. That event led to renewed calls for tighter controls on weapons in civilian hands.

Police statements in the present investigation emphasize the need to trace the 98 rounds of live ammunition. This focus echoes earlier debates about how firearms and ammunition reach school environments. Officials continue to examine whether existing regulations sufficiently limit access for individuals without formal training records.

The national conversation on gun control includes reviews of licensing procedures and storage requirements. Investigators in Nonthaburi are applying these considerations to the current probe by checking shooting ranges and family backgrounds. Such steps reflect ongoing efforts to address patterns seen in previous school-related cases.

Next Steps in the Nonthaburi Investigation

Pol. Col. Chokchai Khanajaroen noted that efforts remain under way to determine where the 98 rounds of live ammunition came from. Police are focusing on the witness accounts and the student's reported interest in BB guns to build a clearer picture of events.

Additional interviews are planned with the remaining witnesses. The investigation continues to examine all reported factors, including the grade issue and the search for the teacher, based on statements collected this week.

Next steps include finalizing the full list of more than 20 witnesses and securing the statement from Teacher A. Officers will also revisit the Bang Bua Thong range if new leads emerge on possible prior visits. These actions aim to close gaps in the account of how the ammunition was obtained.

The probe maintains its emphasis on cross-checking student and teacher statements for a complete timeline. Pol. Col. Chokchai Khanajaroen has indicated that the origin of the 98 rounds remains a priority alongside the academic dispute details. Updates are expected as the remaining interviews conclude.

By Ann Srisawat, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.