Dozens evacuated from thai mall after gunman kills least 20 in mass shooting

Dozens of terrified shoppers were evacuated from a Thai mall early Sunday as armed police said they had "taken control" of the ground floor of the complex from a gunman who killed at least 20 people.

But authorities did not give any firm details on the whereabouts of the attacker - a junior army officer named Sergeant-Major Jakrapanth Thomma.

There were fears the shooter could try to hide amongst the panicked crowds.

Police from the Crime Supression Division urged fleeing shoppers to "raise their hands" and identify themselves on the ground floor "and authorities will evacuate you".

Earlier Jakrapanth relayed his shooting spree through Facebook posts which charted the attack from an army barracks to the mall where an unknown number of shoppers remained trapped.

Hospitals across the country braced for a grim night ahead.

"There are about 20 dead," Kongcheep Tantravanich, defence ministry spokesman said.

"Police, military commandos and sharp shooters are surrounding Terminal 21," he said.

The Thai Health Minister told reporters around 10 people were already in hospital in a "serious condition."
"I was pretty shocked when I found out because I just left the mall not long before."