In a post on social media, the school later shared a call for blood donations.

Other schools in the vicinity suspended classes so students could return home early.

PM Anutin expressed condolences for the victims of the school shooting. He said the tragedy “shouldn’t have happened”, adding “this is why the government do not allow [citizens] to possess firearms”.

“I don’t just feel sorry for the victims but I feel sorry that this happened. How can this happen in our country,” he said.

Thailand has strict gun laws, which punishes the illegal possession of arms with up to 10 years in jail. Enforcement of these laws has been an issue – though police have made no suggestion the weapon used in this case, owned by the shooter’s grandfather, was illegally obtained.

The country has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in South East Asia. It is estimated that about 40% of these guns are illegal.

Friday’s shooting immediately triggered calls from politicians for a review of the current gun laws.

Prime Minister Anutin responded by pledging to introduce a new firearms control law.

Under the proposed new legislation, there will be restrictions on members of the public carrying such weapons.

“The new law will only allow government officials on duty to carry guns,” Anutin said.

He did not provide any specifics for the proposed legislation, including whether it would tighten gun ownership requirements.