Thai gunman who killed 26 shot dead Nakhon Ratchasima: A Thai soldier who killed at least 26 people before being shot dead in a mall by commandos went on the rampage because of a debt dispute, the kingdomu2019s premier said on Sunday, offering the first official speculation for the motive of an u201c unprecedentedu201d shooting spree.
After a night, which seesawed between heavy exchanges of gunfire and terrifying dashes for mall exits by trapped shoppers, sharp- shooters brought an end to the 17- hour- ordeal when they killed the gunman on Sunday morning in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat.
Twenty- six people including civilians u2014 the youngest a 13- year- old boy u2014 and security forces were killed by the rogue soldier, Thailandu2019s prime minister Prayut Chan- O- Cha said.
u201c It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens,u201d he said outside a hospital where victims, including at least two undergoing brain surgery, were being treated.
Prayut, a gruff former army chief, blamed a u201c personal problemu201d over the sale of the house for the soldier, Sergeant- Major Jakrapanth Thommau2019s rampage, which began on Saturday afternoon near an army barracks and was for several hours relayed by the gunman via Facebook posts. Agencies People comfort the relative of a victim of the mass shooting in Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima. PIC/ AP u2018 It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happensu2019 Prayut Chan- O- Cha, Prime Minister, Thailand
