Government Awards 1 Million Baht to Nonthaburi School Shooting Victims
The Thai government approved 1 million baht compensation for each person killed in Thursday's school shooting in Nonthaburi that left seven dead, with payments expected within days.
BANGKOK — On 7 August 2026, the government approved compensation of 1 million baht for each person killed in Thursday's school shooting in Nonthaburi, citing four previous mass shooting cases that were classified as public disasters. Officials said payments would be made as quickly as possible.
On Friday at 15:00, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Paradorn Prissananantakul chaired a meeting of the Prime Minister's Office Disaster Victim Assistance Fund Committee to consider compensation for victims of the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. The attack left seven people dead, including three teachers, three students, and the gunman.
Yupa Thaweewattanakitborworn, Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, told the meeting the fund currently has 254 million baht available.
Paradorn said the committee used the same criteria applied in four previous mass casualty shootings: the Terminal 21 Korat shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima, the childcare centre massacre in Nong Bua Lamphu, the Siam Paragon shooting in Bangkok, and the shooting at Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in Songkhla.
The committee approved the following compensation rates, consistent with those cases:
Fatalities: 1 million baht Permanent disability: 700,000 baht Serious injuries: 200,000 baht Minor injuries: 100,000 baht
Paradorn said the committee considered three key factors before approving the payments.
First, the Disaster Victim Assistance Fund consists of public donations intended to help people affected by disasters.
Second, although the Nonthaburi shooting was a criminal act committed by an individual, it caused deaths and injuries among members of the public at a school, where teachers and students were engaged in their normal daily activities. The committee therefore determined that the incident falls within the definition of a public disaster under Clause 3 of the fund's regulations, making victims eligible for assistance.
Third, existing regulations already provide additional assistance, including 50,000 baht for funeral expenses, 30,000 baht in living assistance for each deceased victim's family, and an additional 50,000 baht for families with children aged 25 or younger.
After the meeting, Paradorn said authorities would expedite compensation for those affected. He said the total amount required would be finalised after confirming the number of injured victims, but expected payments could be made within days. Officials will also examine whether other government agencies can provide additional financial assistance.
Paradorn also said the Ministry of Interior prohibits civilians from carrying firearms in public places under any circumstances, except for authorised state officials performing their duties. He said enforcement of the regulation would be strengthened and that, in his capacity as a member of parliament, he would propose amendments to Thailand's Firearms Act.
