At the scene of the shooting (Photo: VNA)

Jakrapanth Thomma, a 32-year-old sergeant in the Thai army, gunned down the victims at Terminal 21 shopping mall before being shot dead by commandos.

"It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens," Prayut said outside a hospital where victims were sent after they were evacuated from the shopping mall where the 17-hour rampage took place.

Prayut added that the gunman's motive was linked to the sale of a house.

Local police said among the wounded, nine were undergoing surgery and 25 others with slight injuries had been discharged from hospital./.vna