NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A 31-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly posting multiple Facebook messages impersonating a young man who planned a shooting spree at three shopping centres.
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, police had taken the woman, identified as Bang-on, into custody at her home in Pak Thong Chai district on Sunday.
The report quoted Nakhon Ratchasima police chief Pol Maj Gen Narongrit Dansuwan who said the woman managed four Facebook accounts and had a previous criminal record for theft and firearm offences.
She did not have any history of mental health treatment.
Pol Maj Gen Narongrit reported that the woman said her hoax messages were a result of stress stemming from unemployment and relationship issues with her husband's relatives.
"The situation has returned to normal. Police will present the suspect to public prosecutors for further legal action on Tuesday," he said.
On Sunday, Bang-on allegedly posted multiple messages on a Facebook page about news in the northeastern province, posing as a young man intending to harm innocent people at three shopping malls.
Nakhon Ratchasima previously experienced a tragic shooting rampage in 2020, resulting in 30 fatalities.
Her posts included pictures of a teenage boy, a firearm, and ammunition, used without permission.
The threats alarmed local residents, prompting police to increase security measures at local malls.
Authorities discovered evidence linking the threatening messages to the suspect's mobile phone.