BURI RAM: A young man turned himself in to police to face charges after posting on Facebook that he wanted to buy a rifle for a shooting spree at a popular shopping mall in Muang district.
Natthapong Jalaebram, 22, alias Ring, of Huai Rat district, was accompanied by relatives when he reported to Huai Rat police on Thursday.
On Monday evening, Facebook user Ring HR posted a message on his page: ”Wanting to buy an AK or an M16 rifle for a price of not more than 100,000 baht. I will use it for a shooting spree at Taweekit Buriram 555’’.
The message frightened local residents, prompting police to track down the Facebook user, and find out his real name.
Natthapong allegedly admitted to have posted the message. He claimed he was drunk and posted the threat just for fun on Monday evening. He later deleted the message, he said.
He said he had closely followed the shooting rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima province on the news.
He was sorry he posted the message online, he said.
Mr Natthapong was charged with violating the Computer Crimes Act and threatening others. He was held in police custody for legal action.
The gunman rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima claimed 30 lives, including the shooter, and left 58 people wounded.
Mass-shooter Sgt Maj 1st Class Jakrapanth Thomma, 32, of Surathampithak army camp, was killed by commandos early on Sunday, almost 18 hours after he stole assault weapons from his barracks and embarked on a shooting spree.
Terminal 21 shopping mall, the centre of the carnage, reopened for business on Thursday.