Thailand shooting: Seven killed as teen opens fire at home and school near Bangkok

Authorities earlier warned people to stay away from the area and for those trapped in the building to hide and wait for rescuers.

The Debsirin School, founded in Bangkok in 1885, is one of Thailand’s top secondary schools with branches across the country. It counts many prominent Thai figures as its alumni, from diplomats and athletes to several prime ministers.

A seventh-grade student, who fled the building, told the BBC that she was in class when she saw the gunman walking from room to room.

When he reached her classroom, he shot the teacher standing near the entrance, she said. She added that she couldn’t see anything else after that.

Another student told Reuters that he had thought the sound of gunshots were firecrackers going off, or someone banging an object.

“There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”

The 9mm handgun used by the shooter belonged to his grandfather, a former teacher, police said.

Students and school staff were seen fleeing from the scene, and those waiting outside the Debsirin School looked visibly distraught.