After a 17-year-old was shot at Paragon in October, the government moved to impose stringent gun control regulations, yet at least two more shooting incidents have occurred in Bangkok since.
The first incidence happened on Saturday, November 11. Maria Sirada Sinprasert, commonly known as “Teacher Jeab,” who teaches computer skills at Sacred Heart Convent School, was unintentionally shot during a gunfight involving a group of youths. She was shot in front of Sunthorn Kesa Road’s TMB Thanachart Bank, Khlong Toey Branch. She later passed away in a hospital.
There was another incident on Monday morning, November 13, when two groups of youngsters traded gunfire and bombs. Near the entrance to Soi Phatthanakan 53, which runs next to the Bangkok-Chonburi freeway in the Suan Luang district, a 15-year-old fifth-grader was murdered in a crossfire.
The Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, advocated for a ban on gun ownership for all Thai nationals.
“We cannot permit gun ownership because society will not be able to handle more shootings of teachers and students. Everyone is affected, not just vocational students, Anutin stated.
Anutin also talked about the issue of Thailand having over 10 million firearms that are lawfully possessed. He clarified that in order to maintain public safety, it is imperative to increase faith in the government and the legal system rather than permitting people to carry firearms for self-defense. He emphasized the necessity of a more stringent judicial system.
Namanchu Chuenjit, the mom of a student at the impacted school, voiced her profound grief and worry. She added that everything her child has ever said about Teacher Jeab was positive things. She expressed sadness at learning about the occurrence and stated that something similar ought never to occur.
“May I inquire how the offender feels about what they have done? Unintentionally, you have killed someone unrelated to you. My child’s dear teacher passed away, which is why she is ill. I’m extremely concerned about the fact that the police have not yet taken the offender into custody. I am so anxious that I told my child we shouldn’t go to school just yet. The location of the incident was one that students frequently visited. All of the pupils are depressed every time they go by the location, she said.
Photo Khaosood
