Thailand mass shooting: At least 30 dead, suspect kills family and self

Thai police have reported that in a mass shooting incident in the country’s northern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, at least 30 victims have died on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The incident took place at a childcare centre. The suspect, a former policeman called Panya Kamrab, allegedly shot himself, his wife and their infant child after the incident, according to Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau.

It was later reported that the incident had taken place at the Child Development Center in Nong Bua Lamphu’s Uthaisawan Na Klang district. 

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After his shooting spree, the police say that the suspect had escaped in a white pickup truck. According to a government spokesperson, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had called for a manhunt for the suspect before news surfaced regarding his suicide. Jakkapat Vijitraithaya, a Nong Bua Lam Phu police colonel, has reported that besides adults, around 23 children have died in the incident.

Kamrab, the accused former police officer, was reportedly fired from his position over his involvement in peddling drugs, according to Maj. Gen. Jirapob Puridet. 

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Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, released a statement after this incident, in which he said, “According to the shocking incident reported in Nong Bua Lamphu this afternoon, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the lost and injured. I have ordered the commander. Police On the ground for immediate legal action and all involved parties to intervene to provide immediate recovery to all affected people. For further details, please listen to the official press conference again.”

Although mass shootings are not common in the southeast Asian country, some have reminisced about a 2020 incident in which a soldier had killed around 29 individuals while wounding a further 57 because of a dispute regarding a property deal.