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Thailand has suspended the issue of new firearms permits following a school shooting in which a 14-year-old boy killed eight people before taking his own life.

The government said no new permits to buy or own guns would be issued until further notice. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed, although it remains unclear how the measures will affect current firearm ownership permits.

The move follows a recent shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, outside Bangkok. Authorities said the pupil first shot his grandparents with a handgun owned by his grandfather before opening fire on teachers and fellow students.

The victims included the boy’s two grandparents, five school staff and a 12-year-old girl.

Thailand already suspended permits to carry firearms in public in late 2023, meaning licensed owners are required to keep guns at home or use them only at shooting ranges.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the restrictions would remain while the government prepares tougher firearms legislation, including stronger controls and significantly harsher penalties.

Police said the teenager may have taught himself to use firearms through social media and had watched violent content online. Investigators are also examining whether concerns around schoolwork and family circumstances contributed to the attack.

Thailand has one of South East Asia’s highest rates of civilian gun ownership, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in private hands. The government is also considering measures to encourage owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to surrender them.

Gun-control campaigners have called for mental-health assessments and regular reassessments as part of the licensing process. The education minister has proposed security screening at school entrances, while the prime minister has indicated that tighter ammunition controls are under consideration.