Do Active Shooter Drills Help? Two Asian Nations Grapple With Gun Violence

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-02T10:41:41.403Z • Permanent link

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced in January 2022 that the country would be phasing out active shooter drills, citing concerns over their effectiveness and the potential for emotional trauma. In contrast, the Philippines has continued to hold regular drills, with Manila Mayor Francisco Domiguez stating that they are essential for preparing students for potential threats. The two nations' approaches to gun violence and school safety are reflective of the differing attitudes towards firearms in their respective cultures.

Data from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs indicates that Thailand and the Philippines have among the highest rates of gun violence in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, there were 254 reported cases of gun violence in 2020, with 122 fatalities. The Philippines, meanwhile, recorded 355 reported cases of gun violence in 2020, resulting in 223 fatalities. These numbers are significantly higher than the global average, and underscore the need for effective measures to address the issue.

The decision by Thailand's government to end active shooter drills has been met with criticism from some quarters. Dr. Jiraporn Vongtong, a leading expert on gun violence in Thailand, argued that the drills have helped to raise awareness among students about the risks of gun violence. However, she also acknowledged that the drills may not be an effective way to prepare students for real-world threats. The Philippine government, on the other hand, has expressed confidence in the value of active shooter drills, citing their ability to simulate real-world scenarios and prepare students for potential emergencies.

The debate over active shooter drills in Thailand and the Philippines has significant implications for the global data sources community. Companies that provide data and analytics on gun violence, such as Gun Violence Archive and Everytown for Gun Safety, may need to reassess their approaches in light of the differing attitudes towards firearms in these two countries. Research communities, too, may need to consider the potential impact of these drills on their data collection and analysis methods.

The impact of active shooter drills on research communities is particularly significant, given the importance of accurate and reliable data on gun violence. In the United States, for example, the National Center for Education Statistics has been criticized for its methodological flaws in tracking school violence. The introduction of active shooter drills in Thailand and the Philippines may provide valuable insights into more effective ways of collecting and analyzing data on this issue.

The debate over active shooter drills in Thailand and the Philippines is part of a broader pattern of competing approaches to gun violence in different countries. In the United States, for example, there is a growing movement towards "gun-free" zones in schools, with some states and cities introducing legislation to ban firearms on school premises. In contrast, some European countries, such as the UK and Germany, have implemented strict gun control laws, with a focus on reducing the availability of firearms to the general public.