by Thailand’s king told bereaved families he “shares their grief” in a rare public address after a kindergarten massacre that killed dozens.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn met survivors and relatives at a hospital in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu late Friday, a day after a former police officer murdered 24 children and 12 adults in a three-hour gun and knife attack in a sleepy rural area.
Buddhist funerals and prayers for the dead were expected to begin later on Saturday, kicking off three days of mourning for the victims of one of the country’s worst mass killings ever.
As the king offered his help and condolences, grieving families knelt on the hospital floor — as is Thai custom in the presence of the monarch, who is considered demi-divine.
“I’m coming here to support you. I’m extremely saddened by what happened. I share your grief, your grief,” he said in a video posted online on Saturday.
“There are no words that can express the sadness. I support you all and I wish you to be strong so that the children’s spirits are at ease.”
The king, with Queen Suthida at his side, said he would pray for the dead.
“We have to do the best we can,” he said.
The royal visit came after a day of sadness at the small yellow-walled kindergarten on the edge of a village in the Na Klang district, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Bangkok.
Heartbroken parents placed white roses one by one on the steps of the daycare center where their young children’s lives were brutally cut short on Thursday afternoon by fired police sergeant Panya Khamrab.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha joined mourners on Friday, laying flowers and handing out compensation checks to bereaved families.
Some, trying to make sense of the atrocity, wept inconsolably, clutching their children’s favorite toys or blankets — and in one case a half-full bottle of milk.
Among the dead is pregnant teacher Supaporn Pramongmuk, whose husband posted an emotional tribute on Facebook.
“I would like to say thank you for all the support for me and my family. My wife has fulfilled every duty as a teacher,” Sexan Srirah wrote.
“Please be a teacher in heaven and my child please look after your mother in heaven.”
The perpetrator forced his way into the daycare center at approximately 12:30 p.m. (0530 GMT) on Thursday to begin his killing spree, opening fire with his own legally owned 9mm pistol and slashing with a knife.
The 34-year-old then went home to murder his wife and son before killing himself, police said, ending the rampage at about 3 p.m.
In all, he killed 24 children — 21 boys and three girls — and 12 adults. Most died from a combination of stab wounds and gunshot wounds, according to police investigators.
Prime Minister Prayut ordered a swift investigation into the massacre and it emerged that Panya had been fired from the police for drug abuse.
Several people in the close-knit community told AFP he was known in the area as a meth addict.
