Sad balance of the mass murder in Korat: 30 killed and 58 injured
A black page in the lives of many Thai people; at 8:16.30 PM on Saturday, February 32, 21-year-old sergeant major Jakapranth Thomma walked to the armory of Surathampithak barracks in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). Once there, he shot a soldier box standing guard, stole hand grenades, firearms, ammunition and a military vehicle. It then drove to the Terminal XNUMX shopping center where it shot at everyone it encountered.
An hour earlier he had killed his commander and the commander's mother-in-law after a dispute over the sale of a house. Thus began this terrible day in Korat that ended up costing the lives of 30 people, including the gunman, and at least 58 people were injured. Most of the deaths occurred in the Terminal 21 shopping center where many Thai people were shopping. After many hours of siege, it was finally possible to eliminate the unstable soldier.
Reports circulated on social media that Jakapranth was furious at being defrauded by his commanding officer in a house purchase transaction. Before his act, he wrote on his Fcebook page: “Getting rich through corruption at the expense of others, do they think they can take money to hell to spend?”
Korat in mourning
Yesterday more than a thousand Thai people took to the streets in Korat to remember the massacre and to remember the victims. People laid white flowers, lit candles and monks led the prayers. Many could hardly believe that such a thing could happen in their city and were deeply saddened. The fact that the shooting took place on an important Buddha Day made the drama even more unreal for many.
There was also criticism left and right. Why did it take so long to take out the shooter? Are heavy weapons of war adequately guarded in barracks? In Thailand, illegal gun ownership is very high. Shootings and gun violence are the order of the day. Just a few weeks ago, a teacher shot and killed three people in a gold shop robbery.
Prime Minister Prayut has ordered a re-examination of weapons cache surveillance. Yesterday the prime minister flew by helicopter to Korat to visit the injured victims in hospital.
An operations center has been set up in a justice office in Korat to provide assistance to the victims and their families. Minister of Justice Somsak says that the relatives will soon receive financial compensation.
My wife is kept fully informed by a sister in Korat: cousin, wife and their children had just left the car park when the shooting started. The city is very shocked, and does not understand how so many heavy weapons, ammunition and a huge jeep, after people had already been killed at the barracks, could have been taken by the sniper so easily. There is even less understanding for the fact that the liberation actions of the army and police had to take so long. There were 5 types of special forces flown in from far and wide, all of which had great difficulty in eliminating the shooter. There is much praise for a police commander who led the actions.
A photo of him has been posted on Thai social media. He can be seen kneeling giving instructions to his men. He's wearing a pair of unusual booties. These tough shoes are extra highlighted. Many people want to know where to buy, because with such footwear on your feet you are quite a man. Well, it's still Thailand.
Can anyone tell me why he had the chance to drive 200 km without anyone taking him out? Don't the police have helicopters? It was known which means of transport he used; That has to be noticeable, right? I don't understand all this very well (revolt).
With a military vehicle 200 km. to ride???
Vincent read the article carefully again. Where did he get the chance to drive 200 km?
I had information that he came from a military site NE of Bangkok . Hence ! If not , my sincere apologies .
He drove about 9 kilometers, about 10 minutes.
Disturbed people are everywhere. It is unforgivable that the man can simply grab weapons and ammunition.
Read a good article by Ate Hoekstra in Trouw here:
https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/vakantieparadijs-thailand-heeft-een-onvervalste-wapencultuur~b21eb399/
Thailand has more than 6 million officially registered firearms. Researchers estimate that there are also 4 million illegal firearms in circulation. That is more than 15 rifles and pistols per 100 inhabitants, a statistic that no country in the region can match.
Popular criticism of the government includes Prime Minister General Prayut and General Commander Apirat. For example, Prayut would have hardly shown empathy and mainly told a story to put himself in the spotlight, to protect the army, the media and the public came to lecture and only a piece of condolences to the victims. And Apirat is under fire for saying early last month that bad people could never steal guns from soldiers:
“All weapons must be kept under good care and ready for use, he said, stressing the army will never let ill-minded people steal them.” – Gen. Apirat
- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1827009/discontent-fires-up-apirat
Fortunately, the army has indicated that it will tighten access to arms depots, with new protocols (excluding border regions).
- https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/02/09/korat-mass-shooting-army-to-revise-security-protocols/
Were just before the shooting in Korat
From Wednesday to Friday I was with my partner for a short visit in Korat. She had to
renew her Thai passport. For that we went to the passport office located in Central Plaza on Thursday, one of the large malls in the city. This all went well organized and smoothly (20 minutes). We decided to go to the famous statue of jaa mo. Under her leadership, an attack on the city by Laotian troops was repelled about 200 years ago. She is worshiped to this day.
Friday shopping: back to Central Plaza because we stayed close by. We briefly considered staying another day to go to Terminal 21 on Saturday. We gave up and returned home.
Saturday the terrible news about the shooting. Terrible for the people there, but we were thankful that we were safely home.
That is the disadvantage of a gun law, if it had not been there, it would have been eliminated more quickly and there would not have been so many dead and injured, Is it also the case in Belgium, people take their weapons away from the population so that they do not has more defense against the criminals who are always armed anyway.
A lot is wrong in the army. My stepson spent a year in the army. He received a salary, but had to give half to his commander. He thought that was appropriate, only found out later that this was not correct…. In the case of the perpetrator in Korat, unsavory affairs also played a role.
The army is going to set up a hotline on conflicts/exploitation by being able to report to higher authorities:
“News reports say Sgt. Jakkrapanth was cheated by his commander in the land sale and his pleas for justice were ignored. Gene. Apirat said the new communication channel will allow soldiers to lodge complaints in anonymity if they feel their superior officers are taking advantage of them. ”
Source: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/02/11/army-chief-vows-to-hear-grievances-refuse-to-quit-over-mass-shooting/
But will that help?? I don't believe Apirat at all. There are quite a few people who think his tears (crocodile tears?) are not enough:
https://www.facebook.com/cartooneggcatx/photos/a.1125532314243366/1800297340100190/?type=3&theater
According to Apirat, the gunman was no longer a soldier from the moment he opened fire on civilians. He forgets that other soldiers, including himself (!) unrepentantly shot their weapons at civilians.
Deepest sympathy for the victims and hopefully a lot of support for the injured!!!