Almost 40 people have died after Thailand's deadliest shooting rampage in its history and most of the victims were children. 

A former police officer, who had been let go of his duties earlier this year due to drug abuse, shot his way into a daycare in northern Thailand yesterday.

According to news reports, a witness shared that the daycare staff saw this man approaching and locked the door. However, he shot through the door before opening fire on the children and staff present. 

According to police spokesman Archayon Kraithong, 37 people have died since the attack and another 12 people were wounded. The total count has yet to be released.

"The teacher who died, she had a child in her arms," a witness shared with Thailand’s Kom Chad Luek television.

The shooter who has been identified as 34-year-old former police officer Panya Kamrap. After he finished shooting at the daycare, Kamrap went home where he shot his wife and child before turning the gun on himself. 

According to the police chief, Kamrap's main weapon used was a 9mm pistol that he had purchased himself. However, he also used a shotgun and knife.

The town of Nong Bua Lam Phu in northern Thailand is in mourning over the devastating shooting.

According to CBN News, the country's previous worst mass shooting involved a disgruntled soldier who opened fire in and around a mall in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima in 2020, killing 29 people and holding off security forces for some 16 hours before eventually being killed by them.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha commented on the tragedy, saying, "This shouldn’t happen. I feel deep sadness toward the victims and their relatives."