Thailand mass shooting: Ex-cop kills 34, including 22 kids, at children’s day-care centre, dies suicide

At least 34 people, including 22 kids, were killed Thursday in a mass shooting at a children’s day-care centre in a northeastern province of Thailand, reported news agency Reuters citing a police official. The gunman was an ex-police officer and he took his own life following the shooting, it added.
The official confirmed to Reuters the gunman killed his wife and child and himself during the incident and said at least 12 people were injured in addition to the 34 casualties.
The gunman reportedly opened fire early in the afternoon in the centre of the town of Nongbua Lamphu.

A report in Thailand-based Bangkok Post identified the gunman as former Pol Cpl Panya Khamrab and said that he carried guns and knives as he forced his way inside the centre and opened fire.
The prime miner has alerted all agencies to take action and apprehend the culprit, a government spokesperson said before it was reported that the gunman died.

The rate of gun ownership in Thailand is high compared with some other countries in the region but official figures do not include huge numbers of illegal weapons, many of which have been brought in across porous borders over the years from strife-torn neighbours.
Mass shootings are rare but in 2020, a soldier angry over a property deal gone sour killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations.
(Compiled from AP, Reuters reports)