Minister Demands Stricter Security at Bangkok Malls After MBK Brawl

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In the wake of a disturbing student brawl at Bangkok's MBK Center, Higher Education Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi has urged the Royal Thai Police to step up security in shopping malls. This call to action comes after the clash, which erupted between students from Rajamangala University of Technology's Uthenthawai Campus and Pathumwan Institute of Technology, left five injured and caused distress to mall-goers.

 

Minister Supamas expressed her dismay on Sunday, describing the brawl as a "troubling incident" that disrupted public order. Emphasising the need for proactive measures, she stated her intention to work closely with authorities to monitor students with histories of rivalry, aiming to stave off future altercations.

 

"We must ensure educational institutions remain places of learning rather than violence," she remarked, stressing the need for sustainable solutions.

 

The brawl unfolded on Saturday evening on the sixth floor of the bustling MBK Center's food court, a stone's throw from both educational institutions. This incident is not isolated, as both schools, located near the Pathumwan intersection—a busy area in Bangkok—have seen their students clash in the past.

 

 

 

The latest altercation resulted in two students suffering serious stab wounds, necessitating intensive care at Police General Hospital, while others sustained less severe injuries.

 

Bangkok’s Pathumwan Police reported that the violent encounter involved at least twenty students. Although four have been apprehended, investigations revealed that the chaos began when rivals unexpectedly crossed paths at the food court. To prevent future incidents, police are considering increased scrutiny, including rigorous searches for weapons by MBK Center's security staff.

 

The incident has highlighted the need for robust security measures in crowded public spaces. Besides police vigilance, Minister Supamas has urged educational institutions to actively participate in curbing aggressive behaviour among students, suggesting comprehensive strategies to address the underlying causes of such confrontations.

 

Minister Supamas’s commitment to addressing this issue is unwavering. As she collaborates with police and educational leaders, the hope is that these measures will create a safer environment for both shoppers and students alike in Bangkok's bustling heart. By prioritising security and fostering dialogue among institutions, the minister aims to restore confidence in public safety and maintain the integrity of educational spaces.

 

This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges Bangkok faces as it strives to balance bustling urban life with the safety and security of its residents and visitors, reported Bangkok Post.

 

 

-- 2025-03-24

 

 

[JoePai]

Maybe, just maybe it's something to do with your education and their parents that are the problems - Higher Education Minister Supamas

[Mr Meeseeks]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The latest altercation resulted in two students suffering serious stab wounds

 

Been happening for years. I saw a student get stabbed in Panthip Plaza, which is just up the road from MBK. 

[lordgrinz]

I asked my wife why Thai university students would even be so violent, which isn't typically seen in the West, she said these are vocational schools. Not sure that explains it, but still odd to see people who are furthering their education to be involved in violence.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

Maybe, just maybe it's something to do with your education and their parents that are the problems - Higher Education Minister Supamas

Just gang thug mentality..

nothing to do with what education they've received or missed..

[Scouse123]

50 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

.Just gang thug mentality..

nothing to do with what education they've received or missed..

 

Correct,

 

Just thugs and bullies who love the ' gang ' mentality.

 

Very few are brave on their own, and when caught, they scream for Mummy and Daddy and blame their classmates.

[Scouse123]

51 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Just gang thug mentality..

nothing to do with what education they've received or missed..

 

Cowards when confronted alone.

[klauskunkel]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges Bangkok faces as it strives to balance...

Nope, BKK is not striving in the least, never has and never will.

I've been here nearly 20 years and student brawls have been going on several times per year - some fatal, some not, with innocent bystanders and without. During Democratic and Military governments.

Student brawls, PM 2.5, Road Fatalities...

Nothing changes because the same mindset is always in power.

[steven100]

a good responsible student is a result of good parenting   !!    

sadly,    no such thing in Thailand.  

 

most parents here are too busy getting drunk with next door.... 

[steven100]

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

Higher Education Minister Supamas

 

Excuse me Education Minister Supamas,   don't you think the parents are to blame for the kid being in a gang like environment.   Are you to stupid to realize that proper responsible parents won't allow his son to be involved in this type of behavour.   The kid would be at home studying,  not brawling in a shopping mall. 

[Dmitry2222]

Thailand turns into the Wild West with guns and brawls. Where a foreigner can buy a bulletproof vest here? 😃

[Skunkfarben]

The only thing Thai politican have is telling people what to do. After this there is nothing. They have no real skill for anything.

[Skunkfarben]

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

 

Excuse me Education Minister Supamas,   don't you think the parents are to blame for the kid being in a gang like environment.   Are you to stupid to realize that proper responsible parents won't allow his son to be involved in this type of behavour.   The kid would be at home studying,  not brawling in a shopping mall. 

 

But this kids are vocational students so nobody studying 😭. Service technical equipment. Parents working a lott too sure

[Skunkfarben]

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

a good responsible student is a result of good parenting   !!    

sadly,    no such thing in Thailand.  

 

most parents here are too busy getting drunk with next door.... 

 

There is very good students in Thailand . Best 5 or 10 high school have very good and serious student

[steven100]

8 minutes ago, Skunkfarben said:

 

But this kids are vocational students so nobody studying 😭. Service technical equipment. Parents working a lott too sure

 

and ,    as I said.....   if the parent's were proper responsible parents the students would know not to mix with these gang idiots /trouble makers.  The kid would know he would be reprimanded by his parents. 

 

good students  =   It starts at home     !!! 

 

 

[The Alien]

Brilliant! Rather than address the students' behavior and the issue directly, they've opted to inconvenience shoppers with heightened security. A truly inspired solution. 😫

[Jim Blue]

At least no guns involved  !

[BangkokReady]

15 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

I asked my wife why Thai university students would even be so violent, which isn't typically seen in the West, she said these are vocational schools. Not sure that explains it

 

They aren't university students. That explains why they are so different to university students in the West.

 

15 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

but still odd to see people who are furthering their education to be involved in violence.

 

They're vocational students, so not really proper students. It happens all the time. Probably low-status, so need the boost from violence.

[Aussie999]

What's this got to do with the Higher Education Minister, perhaps she should concentrate on university culture  that creates the conflict.

[JoePai]

14 hours ago, steven100 said:

 

Excuse me Education Minister Supamas,   don't you think the parents are to blame for the kid being in a gang like environment.   Are you to stupid to realize that proper responsible parents won't allow his son to be involved in this type of behavour.   The kid would be at home studying,  not brawling in a shopping mall. 

education and their parents that are the problems

 

Which is what I wrote - please keep up

[steven100]

7 minutes ago, JoePai said:

education and their parents that are the problems

 

Which is what I wrote - please keep up

 

nothing to do with education ....   it all starts at home,  as proper parents. 

 

 

Which is what I wrote - please keep up   ...        Lol

[JoePai]

2 minutes ago, steven100 said:

 

nothing to do with education ....   it all starts at home,  as proper parents. 

 

 

Which is what I wrote - please keep up   ...        Lol

Parents and education - don't try and be clever

[Purdey]

Technical schools have built their violent culture over many years and it seems like their culture is consistent because the teachers encourage it. 

Calls to shut them down have fallen on deaf ears so I don't see it changing.