Thai terror: Gunman opens fire at Bangkok shopping centre - hundreds flee in panic

It is believed that at least three have been injured during the incident.

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau posted an image on its Facebook page of a man they said was the suspected gunman.

Unverified videos shared on social media showed people, including children, running out of the doors of the Siam Paragon mall while security guards ushered them out.

One of the videos showed people taking cover in a darkened room inside a restaurant, while live television showed long queues of traffic outside the mall in torrential rain.

Initial reports said the gunshots came from a toilet on the ground floor.

The mall was placed into lockdown with all entrances closed as police also suspended train services at a station near the centre.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed concern over the incident.

"I am aware of the shooting event at Siam Paragon and have ordered the police to investigate. I am most worried about public safety," he posted on social media.

Another user wrote: "There's a shooting incident in Siam Paragon. To anyone going or planning to go there, please avoid it at this moment. Stay safe everyone."

Police are urging people to avoid the area around the Siam Paragon Mall until further notice.

It comes after an ex-police officer killed 22 children in a nursery last year during a gun-and-knife attack.

In 2020 a soldier also shot and killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations in the northeastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima.