An ongoing investigation suggests it was unlikely Makharin Phumsa-art, known as “Ne Wat Dao”, really shot himself.

“None of his relatives or neighbours heard a gunshot. And there is no trace of a bullet inside his room either,” Pol Lt General Sanit Mahathavorn, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police, said yesterday.

Makharin sustained just minor injuries. His grandmother said he stood up and was able to go to hospital by himself. He has reportedly been receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

Sanit said if Makharin and people close to him were found to have played a prank via the video clip – now removed – they could face legal action.

“Spreading false information on the Internet is a computer crime punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt100,000,” he said.

He said if Makharin was found to have used a gun in the prank, he would be punished for violating a gun law too. The penalty for that offence is between one and 10 years in jail. Makharin, who has tattoos all over his body, has had more than 1.2 million followers on Facebook.