5-10-2023 (BANGKOK) The recent shooting incident at a high-end department store in Bangkok, where a teenager killed two people and injured several others, has brought attention to the mental health of Thai youths and led to renewed calls for stricter gun control measures.
The perpetrator, identified as a 14-year-old with mental health issues, carried out the attack using a modified pistol intended to fire blanks. This disturbing event has exposed the inadequacies of Thailand’s existing firearm regulations, particularly following a mass shooting at a nursery and surrounding areas in Nong Bua Lamphu that resulted in the deaths of 36 people, including 24 young children, less than a year ago.
Criminologist Dr. Krisanaphong Poothakool from Rangsit University emphasized the concerning rise in juvenile delinquency in Thailand. Data from the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection revealed an increase in offenses against life and bodily integrity committed by individuals under the age of 18 between October 2020 and September 2021, with the number rising further during the subsequent year.
“The severity of crimes by children and youths is increasing. We have to admit that right now, the laws are the problem as they haven’t caught up with perpetrators,” Dr. Krisanaphong added.
The teen perpetrator used a modified blank gun in the mall attack. In Thailand, blank guns are not classified as firearms and can be legally and easily purchased online. However, the adaptation of these blank guns for live ammunition use has highlighted the need for adjustments to align with the increasing sophistication of criminal behaviors.
The ongoing investigation aims to determine whether the shooter personally modified the blank gun or enlisted someone else to do so, along with how he acquired live ammunition. Thai national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol announced his directive to cyber police to eradicate websites providing information on illegal gun modification and to crackdown on the illegal sale of firearms online. He also expressed intentions to reclassify blank guns as firearms, effectively prohibiting their import and sale in Thailand.
Dr. Krisanaphong from Rangsit University suggested that the future sale of firearms should entail proper mental health evaluations and behavioral assessments for buyers. Currently, gun ownership in Thailand requires a permit and an applicant must be at least 20 years old, without any disabilities or mental impairments. They are subjected to background checks assessing income, occupation, misdemeanors, and criminal offenses.
Dr. Krisanaphong emphasized that simply looking at a person’s criminal record is insufficient. He suggested that the expertise of security officers in dealing with illegal firearms should be developed and supported by specialized personnel.
The shooting incident has raised concerns about Thailand’s image, which could negatively affect its efforts to revive the economy and tourism sector, already impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The incident led to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledging preventive measures to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand.
Furthermore, it has drawn attention to the increasing mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in the country. Dr. Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, a psychiatrist and spokesperson of the Mental Health Department, Public Health Ministry, highlighted a growing trend of mental health problems among young people since the pandemic began. These problems encompass stress, depression risks, and suicide.
Dr. Varoth reported that visits for mental health services have increased over the past three years, with 278,358 people aged 18 and younger taking the department’s mental health test between February 12, 2022, and October 2, 2023. While 51.6% of them exhibited good mental health, 10.24% were at risk of depression, and 17.68% were prone to suicide.
The role of family in observing and addressing behavioral changes and potential violence was underscored by Dr. Varoth. Signs of violence may include verbal and physical abuse, self-harming, and hurting others, as well as online violence and the acquisition of weapons. Individuals with untreated mental health problems have a higher likelihood of committing violence, which may escalate into auditory hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
