Bangkok, Feb 13 (TIWN) A shopping mall in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima that became the gruesome epicentre of a mass shooting that shocked the nation over the weekend, reopened on Thursday with a Buddhist ceremony to honour the victims.

More than 200 Buddhist monks presided over a ceremony attended by business owners and shoppers at the center of the mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, which included prayers and alms offerings to make merit for the dead.  Stores and food centers opened for business shortly afterward. Police stood outside the supermarket area where the gunman was finally cornered and shot Sunday morning.  "I wanted to come here to take part in the merit-making ceremony to help boost Korat people's morale," said 24-year-old Tatsarat Lasewaraks. "And I also wanted to convey my condolences to the brave people who sacrificed their lives."  However, fear was uppermost in the minds of others.  "I am still scared. Now, when I go out, I want to finish whatever I am doing quickly and head home," said Nichawat Suthewa, 21. "I am still afraid that a shooting incident could happen again."