Thailand shooting death toll rises to 30

The death toll in the shooting rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Korat) in north-eastern Thailand yesterday rose to 30, including a rogue soldier, a health official said yesterday.

Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Officer Dr Narinrat Pitchayakamin said the number of people injured and treated at hospitals rose by one to 58.

“Two suffered serious injuries and were pronounced dead in the hospital today,” he told a media conference in Bangkok last night.

The rogue soldier, identified as Jakrapanth Thomma, 32, went on the shooting rampage that spanned four locations in the city, about 250 km from Bangkok.

Security forces shot and killed him at 9 am (local time) today.

The rampage began at around 3pm (local time) yesterday when the soldier attacked and killed his commanding officer at the Surathampithak Army Camp before fleeing the scene on a Humvee along with a Heckler & Koch (HK33) assault weapon and ammunition.

A grudge over a land deal in which he felt to have been cheated is believed to have been the motive behind the attack.

Among those killed in the tragedy were three police officers and one army officer.

Dr Narinrat said three of the dead were not identified yet. They were two men aged between 20 and 25 and a woman about 50 years old.

“We expect to complete the autopsy process by Tuesday,” he said.

Earlier, thousands of people gathered at the Thao Suranaree Monument, which is also known as Ya Mo statue, in Nakon Ratchasima to mourn the death of the shooting victims.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha in a posting on his official Facebook said: “Moral support is very important.”

“I believe we will walk through this nightmare together with a united heart,” he said.

- Bernama