The cabinet on Tuesday approved seven urgent measures to strengthen safety at schools nationwide following last week's shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, including screening for weapons, illegal items and drugs before anyone enters school premises.
Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong said the measures, based on a ministry announcement issued on Monday, would be adopted by all government agencies overseeing educational institutions to establish a common safety standard.
They include establishing a rights, liberty, and safety protection centre at every school; fast-tracking a master law on school safety and the use of electronic devices; searching for weapons, drugs, and other dangerous items; and providing mental health counselling for students, teachers, and staff.
A public consultation on the draft bill is being held from Aug 10 to Sept 9 before it is submitted to parliament. Schools must also prepare emergency response plans, conduct drills and coordinate with police and other agencies. They will be designated safe zones.
Debsirin Nonthaburi School, closed for a week following the Aug 7 shooting, is working with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Psychology, the Department of Mental Health's crisis team and local psychologists to provide psychological first aid ahead of its reopening on Aug 17.
Mr Prasert said those affected would undergo mental health assessments one, three and six months after the incident, including screening for post-traumatic stress.
Meanwhile, police are expanding their investigation into possible online influences and the suspect's social environment.
Nonthaburi police chief Pol Maj Gen Dechrapee Kongdee said investigators had contacted the Technology Crime Suppression Division and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain social media information from Roblox, whose parent company is based in the United States.
Investigators have identified four or five people in Thailand who formed online connections with the suspect and played games with him, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Police also recovered deleted records to reconstruct the suspect's online activities and establish links between those involved. The suspect regularly played combat-oriented games, Pol Maj Gen Dechrapee said.
However, police have not ruled out any motive or contributing factor, including bullying and the suspect's wider social and family environment.
Nonthaburi governor Chettha Mosikarat said investigators had finished examining the crime scene and were questioning witnesses to determine whether anyone else was involved or whether there had been encouragement or incitement through social media.
Mr Prasert expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, saying safety remained the ministry's top priority.
