© Reuters. A girl reacts as individuals collect outdoors a day care middle which was the scene of a mass taking pictures, within the city of Uthai Sawan, round 500 km northeast of Bangkok within the province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand October 6, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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(Corrects spelling of in paragraph 7 to Uthai Sawan from Mutahi Sawant)
By Chayut Setboonsarng
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Social media in Thailand was awash with grief and anger on Friday over the killing of 34 individuals, together with 23 youngsters, by the hands of a former policeman who rampaged by way of a preschool daycare centre earlier than killing his personal spouse and little one.
An opposition politician mentioned the police and authorities needed to mirror on the case to make sure there was no repeat of Thursday’s killings on the northeast Thailand daycare centre, the place tiny coffins have been taken away from the scene.
“It is so heart-breaking. They have been small youngsters, they didn’t deserve this. A few of them have been nonetheless of their afternoon naps,” mentioned 29-year-old Bangkok resident Chamita Itthiponwitoon.
The 34-year-old attacker went on a rampage with a pistol and a big knife on the centre within the province of Nong Bua Lamphu – the worst mass killing by a single attacker within the nation’s current historical past.
“Humanity, not tiny angels, died,” wrote one Twitter consumer, recognized as @psmyheart, who posted underneath a Thai hashtag that interprets as #MassShootingNongBuaLamphu.
Greater than 4.7 million individuals despatched posts with the hashtag by Friday afternoon, many with messages akin to “RIP Kids of Heaven” and “I hope you’re reborn as angels in heaven”.
On the Fb (NASDAQ:) web page of the Uthai Sawan Baby Growth Centre the place the assault befell, tons of of individuals posted condolences underneath the centre’s final submit earlier than the bloodbath, an account of a go to the kids made to a Buddhist temple in September.
‘PEOPLE AT RISK’
A lot of the little one victims have been aged between two and 5, many killed with a machete-like blade farmers use to chop sugarcane, police mentioned.
Authorities recognized the attacker as a former policemen discharged from the power final yr after being caught with methamphetamines. He was on trial on a drug cost.
He went dwelling after the daycare centre slaughter and shot his spouse and son earlier than turning the gun on himself.
Amid the grief, questions are being raised about weapons, medication, psychological well being and the accountability of the safety forces.
Thursday’s assault comes two years after a mass taking pictures by an ex-soldier at a shopping center and armed forces base in Nakhon Ratchasima province, generally often called Korat, wherein 29 individuals have been killed.
“The mass shootings in Korat and Nong Bua Lumpu mirror some issues within the military and police, together with psychological well being and issues with command,” opposition politician, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, mentioned in a submit on Twitter shared 125,000 occasions.
“If the issues should not solved, it might imply that the lives of persons are in danger from the individuals who have these weapons of their fingers.”
Twitter consumer @jaoohja touched a nerve with a submit shared greater than 14,500 occasions that included {a photograph} of some graffiti with the message: “Who do you name when the police homicide?”
(This story has been corrected to repair spelling of the title to Uthai Sawan from Mutahi Sawant in paragraph 7)
(Extra Reporting by Artorn Pookasook in Bangkok; Writing by Kate Lamb; Modifying by Robert Birsel)
Tim Winton
View More PostsTim Winton is a Jr.Editor, Author and Social Media Marketer with multitaskingtest.net.au. She is also a motivational Speaker, Sports News Writer Trending News Writer etc. I often share my thoughts on social media and now I am learning to write poetry in books.
