BANGKOK — The father of the 14-year-old boy who carried out a deadly shooting at a school in Thailand has apologised to the victims and their families in his first public remarks since the attack.

Emerging from Plai Bang police station yesterday morning after being questioned by investigators, the father was surrounded by journalists and camera crews as he made his way towards a waiting car.

“I’m sorry,” he said, according to the Independent UK. “I am deeply sorry to all the families.”His brief statement came two days after his son opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi school, killing six people before turning the gun on himself.

Hours before the school attack, the teenager had allegedly shot dead his grandparents at their home, police said.

More than 20 people were injured in what was Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022. At least 14 remained in hospital, including seven in critical condition, according to the health ministry. Most of those wounded were aged between 12 and 14.

Police investigating the attack said the teenager had shown an interest in firearms well before the shooting.

“According to witness interviews, the perpetrator had begun showing interest in studying the use of firearms for some time, about one to two years,” Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region, said.

Police said the teenager had also watched violent material online.

“After examining the PC, it was found that the child had watched social media content involving violence,” Atthapol said.

Investigators said there was so far no evidence that the teenager had practised shooting.

Police have interviewed 17 witnesses and recovered a firearm, spent cartridge cases and a personal computer from the crime scenes. A knife was also found in the boy’s bag.