Thai army commander Apirat Kongsompong burst into tears when he apologized for the shooting of a sergeant, killing at least 30 people.

"As the commander of the army, I apologize and I am deeply sorry that the person who carried out the shootings was a soldier. I would like to express my condolences to the relatives of the murdered victims," General Apirat said. Thai army order, speaking at a press conference at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok today.

The press conference took place three days after Sergeant Jakrapanth Thomma, a military unit officer in a military unit in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand, on February 8, shot and killed the commander of the unit at his home. when arguing. He then returned to the base to get more guns and stole a Humvee armored vehicle into the city center.

On the way, he opened fire on the pedestrians and police forces chased, then proceeded to Terminal 21 shopping center, continue shooting people inside and entrenched in the basement. At least 30 people were killed and 58 injured after the shootings. Police and special forces finally raided the mall and destroyed Jakrapanth on the morning of February 9.

"The moment he pulled the trigger, he became a criminal, no longer a soldier," said General Apirat, adding that he would take responsibility for what happened and that the army was trying its best to ensure national security, assisting shootings victims.

Thai generals burst into tears when they mentioned those killed and asked the public not to blame the army after the tragedy.

"The military is a huge organization with hundreds of thousands of people. I cannot focus on all my subordinates," said Mr Apirat. "There are people who have criticized the army, I urge them not to blame the army because the army is a sacred organization. Blame me, General Apirat."

Apirat said he would not resign, but instead pledged to open a "special channel" to investigate all complaints made by subordinate soldiers to their superiors. He acknowledged that Jakrapanth had been mistreated and not treated fairly by his superiors, stemming from the sale of a house.

The top Thai military commanders are all members of the boards of state-owned enterprises. Many people are thought to own millions of dollars in assets despite modest wages.

"I guarantee from February to April many people, from generals to colonels, will lose their jobs," Apirat said, promising to ask retired military officers to leave public service. Apirat will retire in September this year.

On social media, many Thais have criticized leaders for their lack of empathy after the tragic shooting. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha on February 9 had to apologize publicly after he smiled and high-fived the crowd while visiting Nakhon Ratchasima, the city in which the shooting occurred. No members of the Royal Thai Family have visited the survivors.