Gunman shoots, kills teacher at kindergarten in Thailand

A gunman shot and killed a kindergarten teacher Wednesday inside a school building in eastern Thailand, where 44 children and three other teachers were evacuated safely, authorities said.

The shooting took place around 11 am inside a building at the Nongplalai Municipal Kindergarten in Chonburi province, about 150 km southeast of the capital Bangkok.

44 children evacuated safely after teacher killed

All 44 students were unharmed and evacuated along with the other teachers after the shooting, according to the Chonburi provincial government.

The shooter, who is believed to be the victim's husband, fled the scene. His accommodation was surrounded by police, officials said.

Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaiwong ordered the school to be closed and mental health experts to be available to support the students and school staff, his office said.

Thailand faces renewed scrutiny over gun violence

School safety and gun violence in Thailand have come under scrutiny after a 14-year-old student opened fire at his high school and family home in August, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 before apparently taking his own life.

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old student was arrested after he fired several shots but failed to injure anyone at his school in Kamphaeng Phet province, 200 km north of Bangkok.

Calls for tighter controls on firearms have intensified and the national government has ordered a review of gun regulations, including suspension of new permits to purchase firearms and a review of existing permits.

Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia despite fairly restrictive gun laws. While mass shootings are still rare, Thailand has seen an uptick in high-profile attacks in recent years.