“14-year-old charged with murder over Siam Paragon shooting in Bangkok. Investigators file five charges against the teen and consider charging parents under Child Protection Act. #Bangkok #SiamParagon #MurderCharge #ChildProtectionAct #JuvenileCourt #PsychiatricAssessment”
Juvenile Court Appearance and Psychiatric Assessment
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the recent fatal shootings at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok. The teen appeared in Juvenile Court, heavily guarded by police and with his face covered to protect his identity. He has been sent to a juvenile detention center, where he will undergo a psychiatric assessment.
The court rejected a request to send the suspect to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute for psychiatric treatment, stating that it is not yet clear whether he has a mental condition.
Suspect’s Confusion and Initial Charges
Upon his arrest, the teen was reportedly too “confused” to provide a coherent account of the incident, claiming that he heard voices telling him to shoot people. Investigators have initially filed five charges against the boy: premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegally carrying a weapon, and firing shots in a public place. Additional charges may be added later, according to authorities.
Parental Involvement and Potential Charges
Police are also considering charging the boy’s parents under the Child Protection Act. The parents did not appear in court to apply for bail for their son.
A search of the suspect’s room at his home revealed a BB gun and several rounds of ammunition. Investigators plan to treat this as a separate case.
The Siam Paragon Shooting Incident
The shooting at Siam Paragon, a shopping mall in Pathumwan district, resulted in the deaths of two foreign women and injuries to five other people. The victims included a 34-year-old Chinese woman shopping with her twin daughters and a young woman from Myanmar who worked at the mall. Three Thais, a Chinese, and a Lao were also wounded, with two in critical condition. The incident caused panic as shoppers fled the mall.
Suspect’s Medical History and Government Response
The teen suspect was previously treated at The Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (the children’s hospital) about a year ago. Due to patient confidentiality, no further details have been disclosed. It is also possible that the boy sought treatment at other hospitals.
In response to the shooting, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to introduce “preventive measures,” expressing confidence that both Siam Paragon and government officials did their best to minimize casualties and damage. While the PM did not provide specific details, there have been past pledges to tighten gun laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What charges have been filed against the 14-year-old suspect in the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting?
The teen is facing five initial charges: premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegally carrying a weapon, and firing shots in a public place. Additional charges may be added later, according to authorities.
Q2: Will the suspect undergo a psychiatric assessment and why was the request to send him to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute rejected?
Yes, the suspect will undergo a psychiatric assessment while at the juvenile detention center. The court rejected the request to send the teen to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute for psychiatric treatment, stating that it is not yet clear whether he has a mental condition.
Q3: Are the suspect’s parents potentially facing charges under the Child Protection Act?
Yes, police are considering charging the boy’s parents under the Child Protection Act. The parents did not appear in court to apply for bail for their son, and a search of the suspect’s room at his home revealed a BB gun and several rounds of ammunition.
