12th February 2020
Executive Summary
At approximately 15:30 local time on 8 February, a Thai soldier opened fire at a number of different locations in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. The attack is understood to have begun at the Suratham Phithak military camp, where the assailant, angry over a financial dispute, killed two people and stole firearms and ammunition before fleeing the scene in a military vehicle. He then continued the attack in the town centre. In total, 30 people were killed, including the attacker, and at least 50 others were injured.
At the time of writing, the incident has not been classed as a terrorist attack by the Thai government or the security forces, with the Army Chief General describing the shooter as a “criminal”. The financial dispute is understood to have involved the former soldier’s commanding officer, shedding light upon an underlying issue that faces Thailand’s powerful military.
