A person runs away from a shopping mall during a Thai soldier’s shooting rampage in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand February 8, 2020 in this still image obtained from social media video. (NATTAYA NGANIEM/via REUTERS)
At least 20 people have been killed in a shooting in northeastern Thailand and the death toll could rise, defence ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit told Reuters. However, it did not give a figure for the number of those wounded.
Local media Thairath had initially said that 12 people had been killed in the shooting, which is a rare event in Thailand other than in the far south, where a decades-old insurgency persists.
The man who was identified by police as the suspect had posted on his Facebook page earlier in the day that “Death is inevitable for everyone.” He also posted a picture of what appeared to be his hand holding a gun.
Moots, please spend a few seconds reading this. A massacre happened in Korat (a city in the north eastern part of Thailand) and there were old people as well as really young kids involved in the situation. I hope everyone is safe. #PrayForKorat pic.twitter.com/zzSy96Ay7x
— minhee’s freckles (@hwangguemmini) February 8, 2020
The soldier had opened fire at different locations in the city, which is more than 250 km (155 miles) from Bangkok, police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said in a message sent to reporters.
The shooter remained close to a shopping mall and had not yet been apprehended, the police said.
Massive shooting took place in Thailand in public places, left 12 people dead so far.
Developing story. #Thailand #korat pic.twitter.com/Mf1Lade8Ok
— Global Politics (@Globalpoliticss) February 8, 2020
Local media showed footage of the soldier getting out of a car in front of a shopping mall and firing a series of shots, sending people running. Gunshots could be heard on the video.
The shooter had initially gone to a house in the city and shot two people dead, before going to the weapons store on an army base and taking a new gun, local police said. He also shot at people on the army base, they added.
More details awaited. This is a developing story.