Thousands light candles for victims of Thailand mass shooting

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

A woman holds a candle light as she prays for victims who died in mass shooting, involving a Thai soldier on a shooting rampage, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand (Reuters) - Thousands of people holding candles attended a vigil in northeastern Thailand on Sunday for the victims of a rogue soldier who killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 before being shot dead.

 

Monks led prayers as people laid down white flowers in memory of the victims at the vigil, which was held by the statue of a historic local heroine, Thao Suranari, in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. Some shed tears as they remembered the dead.

 

Most of those killed were at the city's Terminal 21 shopping centre, where the shooter held out against an overnight siege with an assault rifle and ammunition stolen from his army base.

 

"You have this rage, it fills you," said local resident Chirathip Kurapakorn at the vigil.

 

"I have two kids of my own and just thinking about those lives in there. I could not sleep at all last night. I was just trying to get the right news and just wanted to help somehow, but I just could not."

 

"It just happened right here in our hometown behind us, like right in our heart of everything. It's just tragic."

 

The killings began at around 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Saturday (Feb. 8 ) when the soldier opened fire in a house before moving to an army camp and then to the mall, where he shot bystanders as he moved inside.

 

The soldier, identified as Jakrapanth Thomma, was finally shot dead by security forces early on Sunday in the basement of the mall.

 

"I'm here to pray tribute to those who died. I feel depressed that something like this could happen," said Pacharida Sangthongsuk.

 

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-10

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Just so terrible...

 

Just so senseless...

 

My the victims of this callous act rest in peace, my heart goes out to those hurt by this so senseless murder of so many.  

Troll post reported and removed.  

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thousands light candles for victims of Thailand mass shooting

Will they do the same for an equal number of road victims that die EVERY DAY, but goes without a mention.

Thought not!

But, of course, post 4
It can be a bouquet of flowers, a meditation at the scene of the accident.
But of course, it may be a rail accident, a plane crash, a bus crashing into a ravine.
Yes, we also light candles in memory of all these victims, these victims.

A horrible carnage took place, intentionally, programmed, to make the most victims, of harm.
Compare what is comparable.
Tonight, I will light a candle for this massacre, as I did for France, Germany and other countries.
For innocent people.