At least 37 people have been killed in an attack at a childcare centre in north-eastern Thailand
More than 20 children are among the dead, with victims as young as two years old
The nursery usually takes 92 children, but heavy rain and the fact a shared bus had broken down meant only 24 children were present, the childcare centre's head teacher says
The attack began when a man armed with a gun and a knife stormed into the childcare facility in Nong Bua Lamphu province
The attacker - who killed himself and his family as police searched for him - has been identified as former police officer Panya Khamrab
He was dismissed from the police force earlier this year and was facing trial on drugs charges
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered an urgent probe into the attack and offered condolences to the families of the victims
The attack took place at the Nong Bua child development centre in north-eastern Thailand's Nong Bua Lamphu province.
Police say a former officer who had been fired by the force - Panya Kamrab - carried out the massacre before kiling himself.
The gunman Panya Kamrab was sacked from the force last year, Thai PBS reported.
They quoted a local police colonel Jakkapat Vijitraithaya who said Kamrab had been dismissed for drug use.
Thai police had earlier on their Facebook page identified the shooter as a 34-year-old Panya Kamrab.
They said he had fled the daycare centre in a white pick-up truck.
Police say at least 23 children are among the victims.
The gunman had stormed the centre armed with a gun and a knife.
The gunman - a former police officer - has been found dead.
He had shot himself, Thai media is reporting.
They also say that he has killed his wife and children.
There are reports now that the death toll has increased to more than 31. The victims include children.
The attack happened in the north-eastern district of Nong Bua Lamphu on Thursday afternoon.
The gunman went on the run. He’s an ex-police officer, police confirmed
The Thai prime minister has ordered a huge manhunt.
Image source, .At least 28 people have been killed after a former police officer opened fire at a pre-school child daycare centre in Thailand, police say.