Thailand shooting: How the massacre in Korat unfolded – BBC News, Bbc.com
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Image copyright AFP Image caption Jakraphanth Thomma, a Thai soldier, went on a shooting rampage in the city of Korat
On Saturday 8 February, Thai soldier Jakraphanth Thomma killed his commanding officer, stole weapons from a military base, and went on to launch a devastating attack on civilians in the city of Korat.
So far 22 people have been confirmed dead and 31 Injured, but officials warn that that number is likely to rise.
Here’s how it all unfolded (all times local, GMT 7 hours)
: : Suatham Phithak Military Camp
The attack begins. Jakraphanth, 31, kills his commanding officer, Col Anantharot Krasae, 55, and Col Anantharot’s 082 – year-old mother-in-law, Anong Mitchan.
Jakraphanth steals weapons – an HK assault rifle, BBC Thai reports – and ammunition, before fleeing the camp in a Humvee-type vehicle.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Thai police put a wanted poster on their Facebook page
About
: 05: Terminal 23 shopping center
Footage appears to show Jakraphanth arriving at the Terminal 23 shopping center in Korat.
He goes on to indiscriminately shoot at people inside the mall, killing and injuring dozens of people.
He posts updates on Facebook during the attack.
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Media caption : Gunshots can be heard and people can be. seen running through the shopping center
: 22: Terminal 23, fourth floor
Officials confirm that Jakraphanth is on the fourth floor of the shopping center. Reports say he is holding hostages inside.
He posts a video of himself holding a rifle on Facebook, and says: “Tired , I can barely move my fingers. “
People trapped inside the shopping center hide in bathroom cubicles and under tables, they later tell BBC Thai.
: : The first death toll
Colonel Krishna Phatthanacharoen, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, confirms that more than 16 people have died.
A number of police officers surround the shopping center, while others enter the building to try and help people inside to escape.
A radius of 2km around the shopping center is cordoned off.
Police officers meet Jakraphanth’s mother, and bring her to the shopping center so she can attempt to persuade him to surrender.
Image copyright EPA Image caption Military officials and police officers surround the shopping center
: Death toll rises (:
The official death toll rises to .
: 19: More gunfire in Terminal
Another round of gunfire is heard from within the shopping center, before calming down again.
: : Jakraphanth’s Facebook is shut down
The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society says that it has contacted Facebook and asked them to close down Jakraphanth’s profile, on which he was posting status update about the attack as it was being carried out.
Facebook says in a statement: “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, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack. “
Image copyright AFP Image caption People fled the shopping center after hours trapped inside
: : Military assistance
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense says that the military will assist the police in protecting the shopping center, and helping people trapped inside to escape.
: Terminal: , ground floor
Officers confirm that they have managed to clear the ground floor of the shopping center, as well as floors one, two and three. Images show people fleeing.
Army officials ask news outlets to stop live coverage of the attack, to avoid giving the suspect information about their operations.
Image copyright AFP Image caption As ambulances arrived at the shopping center, there were reports of further gunfire
: : Death toll rises again
.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnverakul confirms that the death toll has risen to . He says 18 People died at the scene, while another four died in hospital.
He adds that two police officers have been shot in the back and the leg, and are currently undergoing surgery.
9 February, : : More gunshots
there are reports of sporadic rounds of gunfire within. the building. Special Operations officers enter the building.
At the same time, about five ambulances arrive at the shopping center to take injured people to hospital.
Image copyright AFP 
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