Thai PM offers cash compensation to victims affected by mass shooting

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday arrived in Thailand's northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima to give moral support and remedial payment to the victims of the recent shopping mall shooting rampage.

"Not all soldiers are rotten apples nor murderers," said Prayut, adding that he was once a soldier himself.

The frenzied non-commissioned soldier earlier in the month killed 29 people and injured over 50 in the Terminal 21 shopping center mass shooting.

A total amount of 34.5 million baht (1.1 million U.S. dollars) from the disaster relief fund was handed over to families of those killed in the tragedy.

Each family received 1 million baht (32,064 U.S dollars) and those who were injured got 100,000 baht (3,206 U.S. dollars) each. People who were severely wounded received 200,000 baht (6,412 U.S. dollars).

After the handing-over ceremony, the prime minister expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss and gave moral support to the injured and families of the deceased.

Prayut also walked inside the Terminal 21 mall where the shooting spree was carried out on Feb. 8 and lasted for over 17 hours.

The prime minister also greeted shop operators at the mall and assured them that the government is rolling out new measures for businesses affected by the shooting.

"The government will not leave you alone. We will walk through this hard time with you and ensure your life and businesses get back on track," Prayut told the shop operators inside the mall.