3-10-2023 (BANGKOK) A shooting at the Siam Paragon luxury shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok has resulted in the deaths of two individuals, while four others, including a foreign national, sustained injuries.
Authorities have apprehended a 14-year-old suspect who surrendered following the incident. The teenager was wielding a handgun, according to the police.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that the situation at the mall had been brought under control. Siam Paragon is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Initial reports from Thai police indicated that one person had died in the shooting. However, emergency services later revised the casualty count.
The Chief of Police, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, confirmed that one victim was of Chinese nationality, while the other was a Burmese employee at the mall.
By the time law enforcement arrived at the scene and disarmed the assailant, several individuals had already been wounded.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the shopping centre expressed condolences for the unexpected incident and confirmed that the situation had been brought under control. The police and security team swiftly evacuated customers and employees from the building, prioritizing their safety.
The spokesperson expressed gratitude to the police, volunteers, and security team for their dedicated efforts in handling the situation. They also promised to provide updates on any further developments.
The suspect has been transferred to Pathumwan police station.
The teenager attended a school near the mall and had a history of receiving treatment for a mental health condition at Rajvithi hospital. However, he had recently stopped taking his medication, according to Mr Sukvimol. The motives behind the shooting remain unclear.
Videos posted on social media showed shoppers fleeing the mall, which was promptly evacuated and closed. The nearby Siam metro station was also shut down.
Witnesses reported taking shelter inside shops and bathrooms during the incident.
Jakkraphan Nakharisi, a 29-year-old ice cream seller who has worked at the mall for two years, initially mistook the gunshots for something else. He recounted hearing a series of shots and subsequently hiding behind an ice cream tank for safety. Security guards later escorted people off the premises, and Nakharisi left the scene around 10 minutes after the shooting.
Siam Paragon is renowned as one of the most visited locations in Asia.
While mass shootings are rare in Thailand, the country has relatively high rates of gun ownership compared to its neighboring nations.
In October of last year, a former policeman carried out a gun and knife attack at a childcare center in Nong Bua Lamphu province, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people, primarily children.
In 2020, a soldier in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima killed 29 people and injured numerous others in a shooting spree.
ฺ#BREAKING: Gunfire heard in Siam Paragon mall
A shooting incident has been reported at Siam Paragan department store in downtown Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon. There are no reports of any casualties. BTS Siam station has been closed to the public.
ฺ #พารากอน #Paragon pic.twitter.com/y7sMwHRR1p
— The Nation Thailand (@Thenationth) October 3, 2023
CCTV footage shows the moment the shooter got arrested.#พารากอน #กราดยิง #SiamParagon pic.twitter.com/mUaZvtuCsh
— The Nation Thailand (@Thenationth) October 3, 2023
