Thai army chief tearfully apologises for mass shooting by soldier
12 February, 2020
Thailand's army chief apologised on Tuesday (Feb 11) for a rogue soldier, whose 19-hour shooting rampage killed 29 people and wounded 57 over the weekend, spectacular the country.
At times wiping away tears, Thai Army Chief General Apirat Kongsompong said during a 90-minute press conference that the army can help compensate all of the victims and their own families.
"I, as army chief, wish to apologise and say how sorry I am because of this incident which was caused by a staff of the army," Apirat said.
"In the minute, the next that the perpetrator pulled the trigger and killed, for the reason that minute he's a criminal no longer a soldier," he said.
The soldier, Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma, was shot dead by security forces on Sunday after he had stormed the Terminal 21 shopping centre in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima your day before.
The 32-year-old had started the killing early on Saturday, shooting his commanding officer and the commander's mother-in-law over a business dispute.
Then drove to his army base, stole more assault weapons and ammunition and shot his way through a Buddhist temple prior to going to the Terminal 21 shopping centre, where he randomly fired at shoppers and held off police for a lot more than 12 hours.
Apirat said the military would investigate the commanding officer who was simply killed, Colonel Anantharot Krasae, 48, and the housing deal apparently brokered by Anantharot's mother-in-law Anong Mitchan, 63.
Apirat said the commanding officer took good thing about the shooter in a land deal in which a "promise was broken" over money matters.
He said authorities will see out who else was involved in the scheme and he promised a fresh line of communication so that army personnel could complain right to the army chief.
"The army and I've already instructed this," he said, adding his mission before retirement in October was to create things fairer for army staff.
"I don’t think any Thai people would like this incident to happen again, so please don't blame the army or berate soldiers," Apirat said.
"If you want at fault someone, you blame General Apirat Kongsompong. I accept all criticisms and opinions. You can blame me because I am the army chief," he said.
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