Three Killed, Four Injured in Bangkok Mall Shooting; 14-Year-Old Suspect in Custody

On Tuesday, a tragic event took place at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon Mall, leading to the loss of three lives and injuries to four others in a shooting incident. Thai authorities promptly took a 14-year-old into custody in relation to the incident..

The shooting occurred around 5 pm local time, as reported by Police Colonel Noppadol Thiammekha, Chief of Pathum Wan Police. Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau confirmed the suspect’s arrest along with the recovery of a weapon. Authorities are currently assessing the exact number of casualties.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed the situation, stating, “The attacker was arrested. In fact, he surrendered,” and noted that the situation was gradually stabilizing as police cleared the scene at Siam Paragon Mall. Videos shared on social media captured the frantic scene within the mall, with people rushing towards exits as apparent gunshots rang out.

This incident occurred shortly before Thailand marks one year since one of its bloodiest days in recent history when a former police officer, armed with a knife and gun, attacked a nursery, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 adults and 24 children.

Thailand has relatively high levels of gun ownership compared to neighboring countries. Data from the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey (SAS) in 2017 revealed that over 10.3 million civilians possessed firearms in Thailand, with approximately 6.2 million of these guns registered legally. While mass shootings in Thailand are infrequent, a tragic gun and knife attack at a child care center in October 2022 claimed the lives of at least 36 people.

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