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By activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal
The recent mass shooting at Bangkok’s bustling Siam Paragon mall has shaken the world, particularly with the revelation that a 14-year-old boy was the shooter.
As Thailand grapples with another mass shooting in a span of five years, the focus largely remains on emergency response systems and the ease of accessing illegal firearms.
Yet, I’d like to draw attention to a deeper, often neglected issue: the impact of our surroundings on our mental well-being, particularly among the youth. As a student activist who has protested against gentrification and the razing of historically significant landmarks, I see a direct connection between the shooter’s environment and his actions.
The boy attended The Essence School, a high-end school situated in Siam Scape, a recent commercial establishment owned by Chulalongkorn University. This university, in its quest for modernity, has often been at the center of controversies, having demolished age-old communities and landmarks like the Scala theatre, replacing them with high-rises and mega-malls.
While The Essence represents a privileged education, with its modern approach and renowned tutors, it’s also a symbol of stark societal inequalities. Amidst the futuristic interiors of Siam Scape, we see reflections of consumerism, helicopter parenting, intense meritocracy, and a culture obsessed with appearances.
The wider implications of such an environment are concerning. While I champion freedom and have advocated for ending strict school uniform rules, this incident doesn’t deter my stance. Instead, it highlights a society increasingly drifting towards extremes of inequality. The luxurious privileges that once required a trip abroad are now accessible in Thailand, but they come at a cost: they intensify competition and psychological stress among the youth.
It’s ironic that a university, which ideally stands for equal opportunities for all, plays a role in amplifying this inequality. The erasure of older communities by the university not only deprives students of diverse human interactions but also reinforces an increasingly isolated, high-pressure environment. This isolation, coupled with the physical and mental stressors of high-rise living, can have profound psychological impacts.
The events at Siam Paragon are a wake-up call. It’s not just about one child or one family. It’s about our society, our institutions, and the values we uphold. If Chulalongkorn University could demolish historically significant sites, why can’t it reconsider the ethos of establishments like Siam Scape? Instead of demolishing, why not repurpose? Turn Siam Scape into a space for non-profit initiatives, a museum for the old community, or a wellness hub.
To quote Tony Benn, “If you can find money to destroy communities, you can find money to build a better society for all, not just the few.”