BANGKOK, Thailand – A 21-year-old man has died after jumping from the fourth floor of a shopping mall in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, following a confrontation over secretly filming schoolgirls.
The victim, identified as Punnapop, suffered severe injuries including a large wound on the back of his head and a fractured right ankle. Mall staff and on-site medical personnel attempted CPR before rushing him to a hospital, but he later succumbed.
Witnesses described unusual behavior leading up to the incident. Fang, 29, who was at the mall with friends, said Punnapop was holding an iPad upside down and tilting the camera toward schoolgirls on the escalator. Fang and his friends followed and questioned him, prompting Punnapop to attempt to flee. Security personnel and police were alerted.
Punnapop admitted he had secretly filmed at least two schoolgirls. Witnesses reported seeing 3–4 clips on his iPad. He appeared nervous and confused, and reportedly told bystanders that it was his first time doing such an act. He was wearing a university-style sports shirt and carried student ID cards and textbooks, giving the impression of a regular student.
Before jumping, Punnapop called his mother and confessed to filming the schoolgirls. He told her he had been coerced and threatened by members of a private online group, describing the situation as blackmail. He asked his mother to care for his younger sibling and reportedly mentioned preparing an omelet before the jump.
Police officials confirmed that the iPad contained clips of 2–3 victims, though their identities remain unverified due to obscured faces and camera angles. Pol. Lt. Col. Wiwat Kaewplu, deputy superintendent of Bang Yai Police Station, said investigators are reviewing CCTV footage, collecting witness statements, and examining other evidence to determine whether coercion by the online group played a role in the incident.
Authorities emphasized that this case highlights the dangers of online exploitation and coercion, which can escalate into tragic outcomes. Investigations are ongoing to uncover all circumstances and prevent similar incidents in the future. (TNA)
