The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism expressed deep condolences to the victims following the violent incident at Siam Paragon Mall.
Mr. Jakrapong Saengmanee, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries resulting from the shooting yesterday. He emphasized the importance of considering the emotional well-being of all Thai people and reiterated the need for law enforcement, such as gun control. He stressed that this incident was an isolated event and not part of an ongoing situation.
The Prime Minister of Thailand made phone calls to the Chinese and Myanmar ambassadors in Thailand. After the press conference, the officials will visit the Chinese and Myanmar embassies.
Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, conveyed deep condolences on behalf of the Thai government. Among two deaths, one was a Chinese national who arrived in Thailand on September 27 with a visa-free entry, and the other was a Myanmar national.
There were five injured individuals, including one Chinese national who was with the deceased, one Lao national, and three Thais. The Thai government will provide the best care and assistance to all affected individuals and their families. All five injured individuals are currently patients under the royal patronage.
Regarding the incident that occurred during the visa-free entry period, Ms. Sudawan emphasized the need to restore confidence among tourists, and the impact of the incident will be continuously monitored.
Regarding the Emergency Alert System, which goes beyond SMS notifications to the public, when it can be activated will be discussed among various government sectors and will require further coordination. The government acknowledged that lessons have been learned from previous incidents, and efforts will be made to prevent such incidents from happening again.
In terms of providing assistance to the deceased and injured victims, the Thai government is fully committed, and the budget allocation for this purpose will be discussed further. (TNA)
