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2022 Nong Bua Lamphu massacre

On 6 October 2022, 34-year-old Panya Khamrab killed 36 people and injured 10 others by shooting, stabbing, and vehicle-ramming in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Thailand, before killing himself. The attack mainly occurred in a children's nursery located in the Uthai Sawan subdistrict of the Na Klang district.[2][3] It is the deadliest mass murder by a single perpetrator in the modern history of Thailand, surpassing the death toll of the Nakhon Ratchasima shootings in 2020.[4]

Attack

On 6 October 2022, at around 11:24 ICT (UTC+7), the assailant, Panya Khamrab, drove a white pickup truck out of his residence.[5] He arrived at the nursery at 12:50, where the attack began shortly after lunch.[6] Armed with a 9mm pistol, a shotgun, and a knife,[7] Khamrab fatally shot a father and son at the Uthai Sawan Sub-district Administrative Organization,[8] near the nursery.[5] He then entered the nursery building and attacked four or five staff members, three of whom died.[9] Among them was a teacher who was eight months pregnant.[10] Several staff members fled the scene.[5] Witnesses nearby mistook the gunshots for fireworks.[11]

Khamrab then entered a room where children were asleep and attacked them with the knife. There were 30 children in the nursery at the time of the attack.[12] The bodies of nineteen boys and three girls were discovered in the nursery, while the bodies of a child and an adult were found at a nearby government building.[13]

Khamrab fled the scene in the pickup truck. While passing through the Nong Kung Si district, he shot and killed seven people.[5] He also rammed bystanders with the pickup truck, injuring two.[14][11] At Tha Uthai Nuea village, he fatally ran over a villager.[15] Khamrab arrived at his home, where he used petrol to set the pickup truck on fire.[5]

Eleven people died – nine adults and two children – outside the nursery as Khamrab shot from his vehicle, according to police.[16] Among them were Khamrab's wife and stepson, whom he shot before killing himself.[6][16] Three adults died on the way to hospital.[13]

The bodies of the dead were taken to a police station,[17] where they were placed in coffins and moved to Udon Thani Hospital.[18] Some family members were at the nursery in the evening, and mental health counsellors comforted them.[19]

Victims

A total of 36 people were killed,[20] including at least 24 children.[21] The ages of the victims ranged between 3 and 69 years.[22] A further 10 were injured.[23] The provincial police investigation unit commented that most of the fatalities were from the combined results of gunshot and knife wounds.[24]

Some of the injured were taken to Na Klang Hospital, while eight others underwent surgery at Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital.[23] Doctors at Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital said that there was an urgent need for blood, and a blood donation drive was held there.[25]

Perpetrator

The perpetrator was identified by police as 34-year-old Panya Khamrab (Thai: ปัญญา คำราบ).[6] Khamrab was a resident of Nong Bua Lamphu province and a former police sergeant in Na Wang district.[26][27] His mother said that he graduated with a bachelor's degree in law at Ramkhamhaeng University.[22][28][29] He also attended a police academy. His career in the police force began in 2012 and he had previously worked in Bangkok before being assigned to his birthplace of Nong Bua Lamphu.[30] According to his mother, he may have taken to drugs after returning to Nong Bua Lamphu.[30] During his police service at Nong Bua Lamphu, he displayed violent behaviour. He had his weapon seized when he fired at stray animals in the presence of colleagues.[29]

Khamrab had been a drug addict since high school; in January 2022, he had been arrested for possessing methamphetamine.[31] At the same time, he was treated for mental illness. He was dismissed from the police force in either 2021[32] or June 2022[33] as a result of his addiction. Earlier on the day of the attack, Khamrab attended a court hearing regarding his drug offences.[14] He was scheduled to appear for another hearing the next day.[33] He had applied for a job at the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administrative Organisation but was refused. The organisation is in the same compound as the nursery, which his son attended.[29]

Although a motive has not been established, police understand that Khamrab was plagued by marital and financial troubles.[34] He was separated from his wife. Colleagues recalled Khamrab experiencing mood swings and said that he was not well-liked. He had allegedly threatened a bank manager with a pistol after being found sleeping instead of carrying out guard duties at the bank. He also argued with his wife over a suspected affair, and with a neighbour after holding disruptive house parties.[7] An argument had occurred between Khamrab and his wife on the morning of the attack.[30] An Isaaan Record interview also presented bullying of the perpetrator's stepson at the nursery and shunning of his girlfriend by the locals as possible causes.[35]

Khamrab legally purchased the 9mm SIG Sauer pistol used in the attack.[33] Initial investigations did not find any drugs in his body in the 72 hours before the attack.[24][30]

Aftermath

Police lieutenant general Kitti Praphat arrived in Nong Bua Lamphu province to initiate a manhunt for Khamrab. Police advised people living in the area of the attack to be cautious as Khamrab's whereabouts were unknown.[31] Thailand's prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered relevant agencies to help the wounded and open an investigation into the event.[36] The Hanuman Crime Suppression Division and Arintaraj 26 units were present at the scene after the attack.[37]

Prayut visited Nong Bua Lamphu on 7 October to visit survivors and victims' families.[38] Daycare centres in the area were closed, while all government institutions were instructed to fly their flags at half-mast.[18] Thailand's interior ministry said it would review and reinforce drug and gun ownership laws.[24] On 10 October, Prayut ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten controls on gun ownership and crack down on drug use.[39][40][41]

Reactions

Prayut expressed his condolences and described the incident as "shocking".[42] He said, "I feel deep sadness toward the victims and their relatives."[43] UNICEF condemned the attack, adding, "Early childhood development centres, schools and all learning spaces must be safe havens for young children to learn, play and grow during their most critical years." The organisation also urged the media and the public to avoid sharing images of the incident. The Bangkok governor and foreign ministry, as well as British prime minister Liz Truss and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, expressed their condolences.[44] The U.S. State Department issued a press statement condemning the attack and said the United States is ready to provide assistance.[45]

King Vajiralongkorn has taken the victims under royal patronage, meaning the king would cover the funeral expenses of those killed and the medical expenses of those wounded.[46][47] He also visited the hospital where the injured received treatment and met with the victims' families.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Former cop attacks Thai day care center, kills at least 36". Associated Press. 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. ^ "ด่วน! 'อดีตตร.' คลั่ง! บุกศูนย์พัฒนาเด็กเล็ก กราดยิงมั่วสังเวยแล้ว 24 ศพ". Daily News (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  3. ^ "At least 34 killed in mass shooting at Thai nursery". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Mass murder at childcare centre, 35 confirmed slain". Bangkok Post. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e "เปิดไทม์ไลน์โศกนาฏกรรม "ไอ้แมน" อดีต ตร.คลั่ง! กราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู" [Open the timeline of the tragedy of "Ai Man", the former policeman is crazy! Shooting at Nong Bua Lamphu]. Daily News (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Spender, Tom, ed. (6 October 2022). "At least 31 killed in mass shooting at Thai nursery". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b Vejpongsa, Tassanee; Rising, David. "Thai gunman shot and slashed sleeping children – at least 36 people killed". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Thai killer left scene 'calmly': witnesses". Yahoo! News. Reuters. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  9. ^ "เปิดไทม์ไลน์เหตุสะเทือนขวัญ อดีตตำรวจคลั่ง "กราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู"" [Open the timeline of shocking events crazy ex-cop "Shooting at Nong Bua Lamphu"] (in Thai). Bangkok Business. 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  10. ^ Revathi Hariharan, ed. (6 October 2022). "Thailand Mass Shooting: 22 Children, 8-month Pregnant Staff Among 34 Killed as Ex-Cop Storms Day-care Centre; Drives Home, Shoots Self, Family". CNN-News18. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Death toll in children's daycare shooting in Thailand rises to 34". Al Jazeera. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
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  14. ^ a b "Thai attacker was in court on drugs charge just before mass shooting – police". Reuters. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  15. ^ "กราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู หนูน้อยผู้รอดเพียงหนึ่งเดียว ญาติแห่ปลอบขวัญ" [Shooting at Nong Bua Lamphu The only survivor Relatives parade to consolation] (in Thai). Channel 7. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  16. ^ a b "More than 30, mostly children, dead in a mass shooting at a Thai child care center". NPR. Associated Press. 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
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  21. ^ "Thailand: At least 37 killed, including 24 children, in mass shooting at nursery". ITV News. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  22. ^ a b "แม่ปัญญา คำราบ โชว์ใบปริญญา ลูกจบเกียรตินิยมอันดับ2 จะเอาไปให้ศาลหวังลดโทษ" [Mae Panya Khamrab shows off her degree. Her son graduated with 2nd class honours; will take it to the court in hopes of reducing the punishment] (in Thai). Tnews. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  23. ^ a b "'ผอ.รพ. – สสจ.' ระบุ รพ.หนองบัวลำภู ไม่ขาดแคลนเลือดแล้ว" ['Director of the hospital – Sor.SorPor.' stated that Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital No more blood shortages] (in Thai). The Coverage. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d "Thai king visits hospital after nursery massacre". Agence France-Presse. Free Malaysia Today. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  25. ^ "ด่วน โรงพยาบาลหนองบัวลำภู ต้องการเลือดจำนวนมาก" [Urgent, Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital need a lot of blood]. Thairath (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  26. ^ "เปิดไทม์ไลน์ ไอ้คลั่งกราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู เสียชีวิตเบื้องต้น 36 รายแล้ว". Kom Chad Luek (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  27. ^ "ยิง'เด็ก'ตายกว่า 20 ศพ! 'คนร้าย'กราดยิงศูนย์เด็กเล็กหนองบัวลำภู ขณะนอนหลับ" [Shot and killed more than 20 'children'! 'Assassin' shooting at Nong Bua Lamphu Children's Center while sleeping]. Siam Rath (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  28. ^ "เปิดข้อมูลใหม่ เด็กที่ตายเป็นลูกติดแฟน แม่โชว์ใบปริญญา จบนิติฯ เกียรตินิยมอันดับ 2" [open new information The child who died was the stepdaughter of his girlfriend. Mother shows her degree certificate, graduating from law with 2nd class honors] (in Thai). Matichon. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
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  31. ^ a b "ด่วน อดีตตำรวจคลั่งยา ไล่ยิงเด็กเล็ก ครู และชาวบ้านตายนับสิบ ที่หนองบัวลำภู" [Urgent. Ex-police drug addict. Chase shot and killed dozens of small children, teachers and villagers. at Nong Bua Lamphu]. Thairath (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  32. ^ "แฉประวัติ 'ไอ้แมน' อดีตตร.คลั่ง ติดยาตั้งแต่มัธยม กร่างตัวพ่อ-ถูกไล่ออกคดียา" [Unfold the history of 'Ai Man', a former policeman who was addicted to drugs since high school. Stalking father – fired for drug case]. Daily News (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
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  36. ^ ""ประยุทธ์" สั่งด่วนรีบระงับเหตุกราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู กำชับ จนท.จับให้ได้" ["Prayut" ordered urgently to halt the shooting at Nong Bua Lamphu, prompting the police to catch them]. Thairath (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  37. ^ "ส่งชุดหนุมานกองปราบ-อรินทราช ล่าคนร้ายกราดยิงศูนย์เด็กเล็ก หนองบัวลำภู". Thansettakij (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  38. ^ "'นายกฯ' บินด่วนหนองบัวลำภู พรุ่งนี้ 11.30 น. เยี่ยมให้กำลังใจญาติ เหตุกราดยิง". Matichon (in Thai). 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
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