BANGKOK, THAILAND – A lone gunman killed five security guards and wounded another person in a devastating mass shooting at one of Bangkok’s busiest fresh food markets on Monday afternoon, before turning the weapon on himself.
The tragic incident unfolded at 12:31 local time at the Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district, when the suspect opened fire with what police described as a “gun-type weapon.” The popular marketplace, located just minutes from the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, was bustling with shoppers when the violence erupted.
Royal Thai Police confirmed that all five victims were security personnel working at the market, while one additional person sustained injuries in the attack.
“Police are investigating the motive. So far it’s a mass shooting,” Bang Sue deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai told AFP, confirming the scale of the tragedy.
National police chief Kitrat Phanphet has ordered an urgent investigation, with officers currently analyzing CCTV footage from the scene to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Authorities are exploring potential links between the attack and ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Police are working to identify the deceased perpetrator while investigating “any possible link” to the current cross-border clashes.
The Bangkok shooting highlights Thailand’s persistent struggle with firearms-related violence. Mass shootings have become increasingly common in the Southeast Asian nation, where firearms can be obtained relatively easily due to what experts describe as lax gun control enforcement.
The Or Tor Kor Market, known for its fresh produce and seafood, sits in close proximity to Chatuchak Market – one of Bangkok’s premier tourist destinations that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend.
