Israeli tourist in Thailand says he’s unconcerned after deadly Bangkok mall shooting

BANGKOK — The teenage boy who allegedly shot two people dead and wounded five others inside a major shopping mall in the center of Thailand’s capital used a blank-firing handgun that had been modified to fire real bullets, police say today.

Police decline to provide more personal details about the boy, citing privacy laws and legal procedures covering children aged 15 years or younger accused of committing a crime.

But Police. Col Noppadon Tiammetha, head of Bangkok’s Pathumwan precinct station, tells The Associated Press that the suspect has five charges lodged against him: premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm without a permit, carrying a firearm in a public place without a permit, and shooting in public without a permit.

Assistant National Police Chief Samran Nualma says at a news conference that the suspect “used a blank gun, a plastic gun, and adapted it to use real bullets.” He added that the authorities were looking into regulating such items.

Replica weapons are popular among military buffs in Thailand and can be freely purchased. Police in several nations have raised concerns about how such guns can be converted to use live ammunition, though experts differ over how difficult the process is. Licensing of real guns is restricted in Thailand and limited to people 20 years or older. The penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht ($538).

Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuppakitkosol, also at the news conference, speaks of the need to rebuild confidence.

“We will discuss with the National Police putting safety measures in malls and communities to prevent such incidents,” she says.

Israeli tourist Eyal Sheffer, 53, says he isn’t concerned.

“Basically we are coming from Israel. For us, it’s something that is very usual so it’s not so threatening. It was yesterday evening and today we came,” he said. “We feel safe here. We trust the local police that will handle everything, and it’s quiet here.”