Four students from Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok have been arrested for firing guns into the air on the campus grounds last Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) announced on Monday.
Only two of the students were identified, 22-year-old Apinan Kurupia and 25-year-old Saharat (surname not given).
They allegedly led 52 others in firing shots into the air at the Pathumwan district campus to mark the 88th anniversary of its founding on Feb 1 1934.
MPB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Samran Nualma said on Monday two of those arrested were senior students.
They allegedly admitted charges of having firearms and ammunition in their possession without permission, carrying firearms in public areas without a sound reason and shooting a firearm without a reason in public.
MPB spokesman Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek said warrants were obtained for the arrest of 13 more students and graduates who were allegedly also involved in the gun salute.
Pol Maj Gen Napanwut Liamsa-nguan, chief investigator of Provincial Police Region 8, said Mr Apinan was detained on Monday in Surat Thani, where he went after the shooting incident.
Mr Apinan allegedly confessed that he joined other students in firing gunshots into the air on Wednesday morning after the ceremony ended.
In previous years, firecrackers were detonated during the annual celebration. This year, the students opted for a gun salute instead.
Afterwards, he went back to his dormitory in Soi Prachachuen 19 and later learned that police were after him and other students involved.
He decided to throw the gun he used into the Chao Phraya River near the Memorial Bridge and later headed back to Surat Thani, his home province.
Mr Saharat was apprehended on Sunday at a house in Yannawa district of Bangkok. A pistol and six bullets were seized from him.
According to Pol Maj Gen Napanwut, Mr Saharat admitted he had taken part in Wednesday’s gun salute.
