Thai Soldier Shot Dead After Killing 26 In Gun Rampage

A soldier angry over a financial dispute has been shot dead by police, after gunning down 26 people and wounding 57 in Thailand’s worst mass shooting.

Officials said the soldier first killed two people on a military base and then went on a far bloodier rampage, shooting as he drove to a shopping complex where people fled in terror.

It took armed police 16 hours to end the attack in the north-east of the country.

Authorities said Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma was behind the attack in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub for Thailand’s relatively poor and rural north-eastern region.

Much of the shooting took place at Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed shopping centre.

"This incident was unprecedented in Thailand," Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters as he gave the final death toll on Sunday morning after visiting the wounded in hospitals.

"I hope this is the only one and the last incident, and that it never happens again.

"No one wants this to happen. It could be because of this person’s mental health in this particular moment."

Video taken outside the venue showed people diving for cover as shots rang out mid-afternoon on Saturday.

Many were killed outside the shopping centre, some in cars and others while walking.

Hundreds of people were evacuated in small batches by police while they searched for the gunman.

Shortly before midnight local time, police announced they had secured the above-ground portion of the shopping centre, but were still searching for the gunman.

About 16 hours later, officials held a news conference to announce the gunman had been shot dead.

A defense ministry spokesman told Thai media that the first person killed was the commanding officer of the 22nd Ammunition Battalion, in which the suspect also served.

He said the gunman had fired at others at his base and took guns and ammunition before fleeing in an army Humvee.

City and neighbourhood police officers said the man fired shots as he drove to the shopping venue.

The man also posted updates to his Facebook page during the rampage.

"No one can escape death," read one post.

Another asked: "Should I give up?"

In a later post, he wrote: "I have stopped already."

Gun violence is not unheard of in Thailand, where firearms can be obtained legally.

Cover image: Military police keep guard at the scene of the shooting in the downtown area of Nakorn Ratchasima (Picture: PA).