Thu 06 October 2022:
A police spokesperson confirmed that a mass shooting at a daycare for children in a province in northeastern Thailand left more than 30 people dead.
The deputy police commissioner, Maj Gen Paisan Leusomboon, told the Thai channel PPTV HD 36 that the perpetrator was a former police officer who had just been fired and had drug abuse issues.
Police Major General Achayon Kraithong said the gunman opened fire early in the afternoon in the centre in the town of Nong Bua Lamphu.
He said 30 people were killed but had no more details. Following the shooting, the assailant took his own life.
JUST IN: Shooting reported at childcare centre in Nong Bua Lamphu, northern Thailand. Casualties reported. Suspected gunman still at large https://t.co/UqEF4bW4E7
— Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) October 6, 2022
A spokesperson for a regional public affairs office said 26 deaths have been confirmed so far – 23 children, two teachers and one police officer were among the deceased.
Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, reporting from Bangkok, said emergency services were alerted at about 12:30pm (05:30am GMT) local time with reports of a disturbance at a daycare centre in the country’s northeast.
“We understand now there are more than 31 fatalities including a large number of children. A suspect was chased from the scene in a white pick-up truck,” Cheng said.
“The Thai media are saying he is a former Thai policeman who was relieved of his duty earlier today, but at this stage very little more is known.”
The prime minister had earlier alerted all agencies to take action and apprehend the culprit, a government spokesperson said.
Mass shootings are rare in Thailand but in 2020, a soldier angry over a property deal
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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