BANGKOK — A former police officer opened fire at a child-care facility in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, killing more than 30 people, including 24 children.
The gunman, identified by the police as Panya Kamrab, 34, shot and stabbed children at the child-care center, some as young as 2, the local television station, Thairath TV, reported, citing the local police. He then fatally shot himself and his wife and child.
Mr. Panya was a former corporal who was fired from the police force after being arrested with methamphetamine on him, according to the Royal Thai Police.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered government agencies to help the injured, said an acting spokesman at the prime minister’s office.
The child-care center is in the Uthai Sawan subdistrict in Nong Bua Lamphu Province.
Muktita Suhartono and Ryn Jirenuwat contributed reporting.