The exact number of people injured in the incident is still not known.

The attacker first shot dead his commander and two others inside a military camp before fleeing in a stolen Humvee. He fired at civilians along the route to Terminal 21 shopping mall in Muang district, where he was believed to have taken hostages, reported Bangkok Post.

The attacker streamed his activities in the mall on Facebook Live and took a selfie holding a rifle. 'So tired,' he wrote at 7.20pm, the newspaper reported.

The page was taken offline later.

Lt Gen Thanya Kriatisarn, commander of the Second Army Region, said police and soldiers were hunting the attacker, identified as Cpl Jakrapanth Thomma of Surathampithak camp, reported the newspaper.

The incident is still going on.