A former policeman who massacred at least 35 people, mostly children in a nursery, in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, has killed himself, police reported as of 3.40pm.

They said the gunman, identified as Pol Corporal Panya Kamlarb, shot himself dead in his home. The bodies of his wife and young son were found nearby.

Panya, armed with a shotgun, a pistol and a knife, barged into the nursery located in the office of the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administration in Naklang district at around 12.50pm and opened fire, killing 35 people, 12 injured, most of them young children, according to Pol Maj Gen Paisal Luesomboon, deputy commander of Region 4 Police.

The gunman also fired randomly at passers-by as he fled the nursery, killing another nine people.

Thai PBS correspondent reported that bodies children were seen strewn on the floor in the nursery as shocked parents wept.  

Pol Maj Gen Paisal told Thai PBS in a phone interview that the gunman was apparently under the influence of drugs.  He said the gunman is a former policeman who was discharged last year on charge of drug abuse.

Police said the gunman fled in a pick-up truck to his home where he killed himself, his wife and son.