(VOVWORLD) - Thailand’s army chief apologized on Tuesday for a rogue soldier, whose 19-hour shooting rampage killed 29 people and wounded 57 over the weekend.
General Apirat Kongsompong, during a 90-minute press conference, urged Thai citizens not to blame the army or berate soldiers and claimed responsibility for the incident. He added the army will help compensate all the victims and their families.
The soldier, Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma, was shot dead by security forces on Sunday after he had stormed the Terminal 21 shopping center in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima the 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.