A teenager who was 14 when he opened fire at a luxury shopping complex in downtown Bangkok three years ago, killing three people, may be released next year if he is deemed no longer to pose a risk after receiving psychiatric treatment under a court order.
Komon Prompeng, director-general of the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, said the teenager is currently under the care of the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute, where he is receiving psychiatric treatment.
The teenager opened fire at Siam Paragon shopping mall on October 3, 2023, leaving three people dead and five others injured.
Because of his age, the case was handled by the Central Juvenile and Family Court, which ordered him to undergo rehabilitation for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years.
He has been under supervision for about two years and will complete the minimum three-year period in 2027.
Komon said officials have continuously assessed the teenager’s behaviour and risk profile while he has been under the institute’s care. Over the past two years, he has behaved well, caused no problems and has not been found to pose any significant risk, he said.
The teenager’s parents visit him every week, while he continues to receive psychiatric medication under medical supervision.
The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection conducts an assessment every three months and reports updates on his behaviour to the Central Juvenile and Family Court, Komon said.
As the minimum three-year period approaches its end, the department will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the teenager before submitting its findings to the court.
If the assessment finds that he has behaved well and poses no risk, the department may recommend that the court consider releasing him after he completes the minimum three-year period next year.
Any decision to release him or continue his supervision will ultimately depend on the findings and order of the Central Juvenile and Family Court.
The teenager was arrested after surrendering to police shortly after the shooting.
The victims were a Chinese tourist, a Myanmar national and a Thai woman.
Police said he had used a blank-firing handgun modified to fire live ammunition.
The shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School last Friday, also involving a 14-year-old student, has renewed public attention on the 2023 Siam Paragon shooting and the fate of the perpetrator, particularly because the two shooters were the same age.
