After fatal Thai mall shooting last year, police chief pushes for lower age of criminal responsibility

In Thailand, a significant incident occurred last year that has sparked a debate about the age of criminal responsibility. A 14-year-old boy was accused of a fatal shooting at a high-end shopping centre in Bangkok, which resulted in the death of three individuals, including a Chinese tourist. Currently, the law in Thailand stipulates that individuals under the age of 15 can only be reprimanded for their actions and then released. However, the country's police chief, Torsak Sukvimol, is advocating for a change in this law. He proposes that the age of criminal responsibility should be lowered to 12 years, to ensure that young offenders are held accountable for their actions.

The teenager involved in the shooting has been ordered to be admitted to a government-run psychiatric institution. This decision was made by the attorney general's office, citing the prosecutor's inability to present a solid case for indictment. The shooting took place at the Siam Paragon shopping centre, a luxury venue frequented by both locals and tourists. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, in addition to the fatalities.

Four men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of selling the firearm to the boy. The charges levelled against the boy include attempted murder, discharging a firearm in a public place, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Sukvimol stated that the police may not proceed with the case until the suspect, who is currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, is deemed fit to stand trial. If the medical team determines that the boy is ready, a team of investigators, lawyers, and the boy's parents will jointly interrogate him. Sukvimol assured that the boy poses no threat to the community and promised the victims' families that justice will be served. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin concurred with Sukvimol's views, stating that the boy has mental abnormalities and requires appropriate treatment.