Bangkok mall shooting
On 3rd October 2023, two people were killed in a mass shooting committed by a 14-year-old boy at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, with a third death on 13th October after the victim succumbed to her injuries. It has been two weeks. Since then, people across the nation have been trying to come up with answers as to how this shooting happened and how we can prevent more shootings in the future.
While gun control has rightfully taken center stage in these discussions, mental health must not be neglected. Despite early reports of the shooter’s mental health issues, the topic has generally slipped under the radar or, worse, misunderstood.
Mental health awareness and care in Thailand has been slowly improving, but as this shooting has shown, it is still in dire need of improvement.
Gun control takes center stage after shooting
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In the late afternoon of 3 October, a 14-year-old boy began shooting at people in Siam Paragon. He was arrested by police after surrendering, but not before his shooting spree resulted in many deaths and injuries. As of the time of writing, there have been a total of three deaths.
The nation was shocked by the fact that the shooter was as young as 14. Immediately, people began questioning how a boy so young came into possession of a gun. Fingers pointed towards Thailand’s massive black market for firearms that exists despite strict gun control laws.
And that black market was exactly how the boy obtained a firearm. He was in possession of a blank gun that was modified to fire live ammunition. Two men were arrested on charges of selling the modified blank gun to the shooter.
But mental health was also a factor
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So far public discourse and media coverage has largely focused on gun control. Despite early reports of the shooter having a history of mental illness, the topic of mental health has not received the same amount of attention.
Part of the lack of coverage has been due to concerns for the privacy of the shooter and his family. Something that has been a bit of a touchy subject as well.
But what has been covered is this: the teen had been getting treatment for mental health but had stopped taking his medication.
Thai mental health care is getting better, but could improve still
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A common talking point that has stemmed surrounding the teen’s mental health is that it could not have been possible that he had a mental condition if he was able to plan this attack.
But while people should discuss whether or not the teen has mental health problems that played a role in the shooting, it should not detract from the fact that mental health in Thailand, especially among youth, is an emerging issue.
In an interview with CNA, the spokesperson of the Mental Health Department, Public Health Ministry a surge of demand for mental health services in the past 3 years – since the start of the pandemic.
That surge is concerning because not only is it possible that it is an underreported number due to social stigma, but just last year in 2022, ThaiPBS reported that a lack of psychiatrists has meant that many of these teens are unable to get the mental care they need, or worse – get inadequate care due to overworked psychiatrists.
Also from last year, the UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office published a country report detailing their recommendations to improve Thai mental health services. Some of the challenges they listed include: only treatments for mental health were focused on, as opposed to a more holistic approach which includes preventative practices; limited access to mental health professionals; and poor distribution of workers that has led to heavier workloads and delays to healthcare service.
What this means is that while Thais have become more aware and open to getting mental healthcare, they are faced with a myriad of delays and issues when they do.
More lessons for Thailand
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For Thailand, this is the third mass shooting event in 4 years following the Nakhon Ratchasima shootings in 2020 and the Nong Bua Lamphu massacre in 2022. Hard questions must be answered and lessons relearned. Did we not promise to prevent further mass shootings and how do we stop them going forward?
Many Thais, on social and traditional media, have strongly voiced their opinions on the shooting. Many believe that the 14-year-old shooter couldn’t have been mentally ill. This is because he had planned the attack in advance in addition to texting his friends in jest during the shooting.
This is compounded by the fact that Thai laws prohibit children under 15 from being criminally liable. This fact has led some Thai academics and lawyers to weigh in that an amendment should be made to this law.
And we haven’t even touched on the media circus that has added mental stress for the affected families.
The focus on punishment as a method of deterrence has meant that there has not been enough discussion on a more holistic approach to preventing cases such as these. There have been little discussions on how parents can better help their children with the stresses of growing up. Or even how our current government can build the necessary infrastructure, economy, and services that would allow parents to properly care for the mental health of their children without going broke.
A time for mourning
While it is important to consider the future and how we approach it, it is equally important to remember that this is still a time for mourning and grieving. Our condolences go to the families of those affected by this tragedy.
Thailand can recover and improve, especially it further develops and enables its mental health professionals to provide the services that people need.
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Cover image adapted from: Lerdsuwa via Wikimedia Commons