The Suspect in the Bangkok Shooting Incident Is a 14-Year-Old Boy... "Video Game Addiction"

Incident Occurs at Siam Paragon Mall
Korean Tourists Also Frequent the Spot

A shooting incident at a famous shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand has caused shock. The incident resulted in 7 casualties, and the suspect was identified as a 14-year-old boy.

According to local Thai media such as the Bangkok Post on the 3rd (local time), the shooting occurred around 4:20 PM at the Siam Paragon shopping mall. The media reported that so far, 2 people have died and 5 were injured, totaling 7 casualties.

A shooting crime occurred at a shopping mall in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The suspect was identified as a 14-year-old boy.
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After receiving the shooting report, Thai police dispatched a special operations team to the scene to track the suspect, and about 50 minutes after the incident, at 5:10 PM, the suspect was arrested at the Siam Kempinski Hotel.

The suspect, a 14-year-old boy, surrendered peacefully after putting down the armed gun. At the time, the boy was wearing khaki pants and a baseball cap.

In a briefing to local media, the police stated that the suspect has a history of mental illness and had recently stopped taking prescribed medication. Thai media also reported that the suspect showed "symptoms of video game addiction," but the police have not made detailed comments on this matter.

The Siam Paragon shopping mall where the incident occurred is a complex shopping space combining an aquarium, a cinema, and a food court. It is known as a representative famous shopping area in Thailand frequently visited by Korean tourists.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also expressed regret regarding the incident, stating, "I have ordered a thorough investigation by the police and am concerned about the safety of citizens."

Meanwhile, gun crimes frequently occur in Thailand. Last year, a former police officer opened fire and wielded a weapon at an orphanage, killing 22 children in a horrific incident.

In February 2020, a former army officer opened fire at a shopping mall, killing 29 people.