Bangkok shooting live: Three dead at Siam Paragon mall as 14-year-old suspect arrested

Police have arrested a suspect after three people were shot dead when a shooter opened fire at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok.

Chaos erupted after reports of gunfire in the late afternoon approaching peak shopping hours at the Siam Paragon mall, among the city’s most popular shopping and leisure venues and a draw for foreign tourists.

Police said a 14-year-old suspected of being the gunman had been arrested and was being questioned.

Emergency services shared an image of a police officer apprehending and handcuffing an individual lying face down on the ground and another of an officer retrieving a handgun from the floor.

The incident prompted authorities to shut access to the nearby Siam elevated train stop, preventing commuters from exiting the transit station, as the evening rush hour began and intense rain pounded the city.

Key Points

• Shooter opens fire at mall in Bangkok

• Three killed after shots fired

• Boy, 14, is arrested

15:19 , Matt Mathers

We’re pausing our live coverage of the shootings in Bangkok.

Thanks for reading and join us again soon for the latest updates.

Have a good rest of day.

14:30 , Matt Mathers

Shooter targets ‘most photographed place’

Siam Paragon is Thailand’s most famous mall, drawing large numbers of people with its high-end stores, aquarium, movie theatre and hugely popular food court dining.

In 2013, it was named the world’s most photographed place by Instagram.

Prime minister Srettha Thavisin expressed concern over the incident and expressed his condolences to the families affected.

Gun violence not uncommon in Thailand

13:45 , Namita Singh

Gun violence is not uncommon in Thailand, though mass shootings are rare.

An ex-police officer killed 22 children in a nursery last year during a gun-and-knife rampage.

In 2020, a disgruntled soldier opened fire in and around a mall in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima, killing 29 people and holding off security forces for some 16 hours before eventually being killed by them.

‘Who dares to go out’: Eyewitness shares account

13:15 , Namita Singh

Chinese tourist Liu Shiying who was inside the mall at the time of the shooting said she saw people running and saying someone had opened fire.She heard gunshots and an alarm ringing, and then the lights in the mall went out.

“We’re temporarily hiding. Who dares to go out?” she said while taking cover. She was later able to leave.

Number of injured rises to six

12:42 , Namita Singh

Police say the number of people injured in Tuesday afternoon’s shooting has risen to six – earlier they said four were hurt, including a foreign national.

The death toll still stands at three.

Thai PM offers condolences over shooting

12:38 , Namita Singh

Thailand’s prime minister has offered his deepest condolences to the families of those who died in shooting incident at Siam Paragon Mall.

The death toll stood at three, while four, including a foreign national were injured, according to the emergency services.

Thai PM praises police response

12:38 , Namita Singh

Thailand prime minister Srettha Thavisin has issued a statement praising police for their rapid response to the mall shooting.

A suspect aged 14 is in custody, while the emergency services say three people died in the shooting and another three were injured.

Earlier, the prime minister told reporters he was across the incident and had instructed the Royal Thai Police commissioner to investigate and monitor the situation.

In pictures: Emergency responders at shopping centre as suspect held

12:29 , Namita Singh

Police shuts access to mall as emergency services responds to the spot

12:27 , Namita Singh

Hundreds of people have fled a major shopping centre in Thailand’s capital Bangkok after what sounded like gunshots were heard inside.

The incident prompted authorities to shut access to the nearby Siam elevated train stop, preventing commuters from exiting the transit station, as the evening rush hour began and intense rain fell in the city.

Emergency services could be seen entering the shopping centre as sirens wailed outside.

Police spokesman Archayon Kraithong said officers in the area had been ordered to secure the scene, and that he would provide details as soon as possible.

Three dead in Bangkok mall shooting as Thailand police arrest 14-year-old suspect

12:17 , Namita Singh

Thailand police have arrested a 14-year-old suspected gunman after shots were fired at a luxury shopping mall in central Bangkok, sending hundreds of shoppers fleeing.

Emergency services said at least three people were killed and three others were injured in the incident at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon. Public broadcaster Thai PBS reported five people wounded.

Witnesses described seeing crowds of people fleeing the Siam Paragon mall after hearing what appeared to be gunfire.

The mall was placed into lockdown with all entrances closed, and police also suspended train services at a station near the mall.

Report:

Thailand police responding to reports of Bangkok mall shooting

12:00 , Namita Singh

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the mall shooting in Bangkok, Thailand.