More than 20 children shot dead in Thailand gun attack
The gunman opened fire in a childcare centre
Last updated 6th Oct 2022
A gun attack on a childcare centre in Thailand has left 37 people dead, including at least 24 children.
Police Major General Achayon Kraithong said the shooting happened in the town of Nongbua Lamphu in north-eastern Thailand early in the afternoon.
Police in Thailand have confirmed at least 37 people have died - including children, two teachers and one police officer. Another 12 people were injured.
The attacker, who authorities said was a former policeman who had been sacked from the force earlier this year because of a drug offence, took his own life after killing his own wife and child at home.
Firearms-related deaths in Thailand are much lower than in countries like the United States and Brazil, but higher than in countries like Japan and Singapore which have strict gun control laws.
The rate of firearms related deaths in 2019 was about four per 100,000, compared with about 11 per 100,000 in the US and nearly 23 per 100,000 in Brazil.
Today's attack was the worst mass shooting in the nation's history.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.