Soldier on bloody rampage kills 20
a 63-year-old woman. He injured a third person before driving to the city centre firing at people before going into the Terminal 21 shopping centre.
Video footage showed a man getting out of a vehicle and opening fire with people running for cover as shots are heard.
The suspect’s mother was brought to the scene to try to persuade him to surrender.
At least 21 people were reportedly injured outside the centre.
Inside he continued to shoot and he then hid while he posted sickening footage before social media platform Facebook took down his page.
In one post earlier, he asked followers if he should surrender.
He also displayed an image of a pistol with three sets of bullets, along with the words “it is time to get excited” and “nobody can avoid death”.
Police warned people stuck inside to hide in a safe place and mute mobile phones. Shopping centre CCTV showed a man brandishing an assault rifle and walking calmly through an empty area of the building.
Video footage showed a fire starting outside the building after a gas canister was reportedly hit by a bullet. His motive for continuing the killing spree away from the army base was unknown as Thai police tried to track him down.
Thai government spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen said: “The gunman used a machine gun and shot innocent victims resulting in many injured and dead.”
Police warned people to stay at home and sealed off the shopping centre. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said there were no more bodies left inside,
He added: “We don’t know whether there are any additional injuries or deaths or not.”
Mr Charnvirakul appealed for blood donations to the area. A
Facebook spokesman said: “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and the community affected by this tragedy in Thailand.
“There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity.
“Neither do we allow people to praise or support this attack.”