Thai gun laws are strict, but illegal firearms are common in the country. Police are currently investigating the suspect’s behavioral history. The Prime Minister has stated that access to guns for young people needs to be tightened. According to the police, the 14-year-old boy modified a gun designed to fire blank rounds. This Shooting incident could have a negative impact on efforts to boost tourism in Thailand.

Authorities in Thailand are preparing to charge a 14-year-old boy with premeditated murder after a shooting spree at a Bangkok mall. The suspect used a modified pistol that was intended to fire blanks. The shooting resulted in the deaths of two foreigners and the injury of five others. The suspect surrendered to the police in a designer furniture shop. He is expected to face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of an illegal firearm, and using it in a public space.

The suspect had experienced a psychological breakdown prior to the shooting. The incident took place at the Siam Paragon shopping centre, causing chaos and panic among shoppers. The mall was crowded at the time, with gunshots causing people to flee in fear. The victims of the shooting were a Chinese and Myanmar national.

The suspect has not provided a statement to the police due to his psychological condition. Gun violence and gun ownership are common in Thailand, despite strict ownership rules. Many firearms are obtained illegally, often smuggled from other countries. In this case, the boy had modified a gun that is widely sold for firing blanks.

This Shooting Incident occurred just days before the first anniversary of a mass shooting at a nursery in Thailand. The attack resulted in the deaths of 35 people, including 22 children. The perpetrator was a former policeman who later took his own life. Another notable shooting incident in Thailand took place in 2020, when a soldier killed 29 people and injured 57 others in a rampage.

Siam Paragon is a famous mall in Thailand and was the most photographed place on Instagram in 2013. It attracts both domestic and foreign shoppers with its high-end stores, aquarium, cinema, and food court. The mall has reopened for business after the shooting, with workers repairing the damaged facade of a Louis Vuitton store.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed his concern about access to guns, including modified ones. He attended a technology event at the mall and stated that his government will address this issue with the police. The government aims to control and restrict young people’s access to dangerous firearms. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to work through the policy process to make guns harder to access.

The shooting incident could have implications for Thailand’s tourism industry. The government has been trying to boost tourist arrivals as part of its efforts to stimulate the economy. China is a crucial market for Thailand, and the embassy in Bangkok has received assurances from the Prime Minister regarding public safety for Chinese travelers.

The suspected gunman had been receiving psychological treatment but had not taken his prescribed medication at the time of the shooting. Investigators are looking into his background and plan to speak to his friends, including online gamers, to understand his mental state. The police chief stated that the suspect appeared to hear voices telling him to shoot.

In conclusion, this shooting incident at a Bangkok mall has raised concerns about gun violence in Thailand. The suspect, a 14-year-old boy, used a modified gun to carry out the shooting. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter gun control measures, particularly regarding access to firearms by young people. The government is committed to addressing this issue and ensuring public safety. However, the incident could have a negative impact on Thailand’s tourism industry, which has been a key focus for economic growth.

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