Arrest warrants are being sought for six other suspects believed to have been involved in a brawl between students in Bangkok's Min Buri district that killed a nineyearold schoolboy, police said.
Min Buri police said that after interviewing more witnesses they were able to identify six more vocational school students, either from Bang Kapi Technology School or Industrial Technology School of Bangkok, who were involved in the brawl on Thursday.
The two initial suspects, Pariwat Lohphoom and a 16yearold unnamed student, have been put under court and juvenile home custody respectively. Their request for temporary release on bail was rejected by court.
Both of them are from the Bang Kapi Technology School, which is known to have a rivalry with the Industrial Technology School of Bangkok for years.
No classes were held at the Bang Kapi Technology School yesterday.
The 16yearold suspect, who is considered a minor, will undergo rehabilitation and mental check during his 30day detention.
The education office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has given Bt100,000 to the parents of Jatuporn Pholphaka, who sustained fatal injuries from stray bullets when one of the suspects was shooting at Bus No 113. His funeral rites are being held at Wat Bamphen Nua.
Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said parents should also be punished for the violent and criminal behaviour of their children "from now on".
He admitted to being criticised for his lax action over the incident. "But from now on there will be no lenient measures. Parents will be held responsible for deaths caused by the brawls that their children are involved in, while teachers will be punished if students under their care get involved in brawls," he said.
Chinnaworn did not say how he would show his responsibility over the incident.