The incident, which occurred at the Siam Paragon shopping centre on Tuesday, left two people dead and five otherswounded. This article provides an overview of the shocking incident and its aftermath. The shooting spree unfolded late Tuesday afternoon at Siam Paragon, a popular shopping mall located in the heart of Bangkok's bustling commercial district.
The incident sent hundreds of shoppers into a state of panic as gunshots rang out, with some screaming as they rushed towards the exits. Tragically, a Chinese and a Myanmar national lost their lives during the incident.
The 14-year-old suspect has been charged with multiple offenses, including premeditated murder, illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm in public without authorization, and discharging a firearm in public. Police Major General Nakarin Sukhontawit revealed these charges to Reuters.
According to the police, the suspect had experienced a psychological breakdown leading up to the shooting.
Despite this, a court declined the police's request to detain the teenager at a mental healthfacility. Instead, the court ordered him into juvenile detention, as detailed in a court document seen by Reuters. Investigators are delving into the suspect's background and plan to speak with his friends, including online gamers, to gain insights into his mental state.
The young shooter had reportedly been receiving psychological treatment and had not taken his prescribed medication at the time of the incident. He claimed to have heard voices instructing him to commit the act of violence.
A security official is check the hand bag of a woman who is entering into the shopping mall. Mass shootings are relatively rare in Thailand, but gun violence and gun ownership remain prevalent.
The country has strict firearm ownership rules; however, firearms can be illegally modified and obtained, with many weapons smuggled from abroad.
In this case, the boy had reportedly modified a widely available gun intended to fire blanks.
Following the shooting in the mall, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised "preventive measures" on Wednesday.
“„I am confident Siam Paragon and government officials did their best to minimise the casualties and damage.- Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin
“„Let this be the only time this happens. My government will give priority to preventive measures.- Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin
The shooting at Siam Paragon came just days before the first anniversary of Thailand's worst massacre, which claimed the lives of 35 people, including 22 children, during a gun-and-knife attack by a former policeman.
In response to the recent incident, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to address gun access issues, including online sales, with a focus on preventing such tragedies in the future.
The shooting has shocked Thailand and raised concerns about the need for stricter firearm control measures.
Despite repeated promises to tighten gun laws in the past, the country has witnessed multiple tragic incidents involving firearms.
As Thailand grapples with this latest tragedy, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and preventing further incidents of this nature.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Bangkok's Siam Paragon mall, a 14-year-old boy faces serious charges, and Thailand confronts its ongoing challenge of gun violence.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter firearm control measures in the country, as previous promises to address the issue have not prevented such tragedies.
As Thailand seeks to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety, the nation grapples with the enduring issue of gun violence and access to firearms.