Former police officer opens fire, killing 31 people including children in Thailand

The gunman was a former police officer, authorities in Thailand said on October 6, 2022. [File, Standard]

At least 31 people, including children, have died after a gunman attacked a pre-school in north-east Thailand.

Authorities said the attack was committed by a former police officer at a daycare centre in Nong Bua Lamphu, 525 kilometres from the capital Bangkok.

The gunman shot and stabbed his victims, both children and adults, before taking his own life.

The shooting, according to The Guardian, occurred in the afternoon, local time, while the children at the centre were sleeping.

The motive of the attack remains unclear, the BBC reported.

According to the British outlet, the suspect had recently been dismissed from work.

He was last seen driving a white four-door Toyota pick-up with a Bangkok registration plate.