Tragedy struck Thailand’s capital on Monday when a gunman opened fire at a bustling market in Bangkok, killing five people and injuring another before turning the weapon on himself, according to Thai police.
The shooting unfolded at Or Tor Kor Market, a popular venue near the city’s Bang Sue district known primarily for its fresh produce and agricultural goods. Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief Lieutenant General Siam Bunsom stated that the assailant, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, first targeted and fatally shot three security guards. He then proceeded to kill a fourth individual, with whom he reportedly had a personal dispute.
"After reloading, he entered the market area, where he shot and killed a female merchant and injured another person," Lt. Gen. Siam told reporters.
Video footage released by authorities shows the suspect wearing a white cap and carrying a backpack on his chest as he calmly walks through a parking area moments before the attack. Panic quickly ensued among market-goers.
Duangnapa Yeerunsiri, 38, who was shopping with her boyfriend and sister, described the terrifying moment. "He fired many shots in rapid succession," she said. "We ducked inside the car and immediately called the police."
Officials confirmed that no foreign tourists were among the victims. "This appears to be a targeted, domestic incident. No tourists were harmed," said Sanong Saengmani, a senior police officer in the Bang Sue district.
The incident comes at a time when Thailand’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, is struggling with sluggish growth. High-profile acts of violence such as this have the potential to undermine public confidence and impact international perceptions of safety in the country.
Gun violence, while not rampant, is not uncommon in Thailand, where civilian gun ownership is relatively high compared to regional peers. The country has witnessed several deadly incidents in recent years. In October 2023, a 14-year-old boy killed two people and wounded five others with a modified handgun at a luxury shopping mall in central Bangkok. In an even more devastating episode the previous year, a former police officer carried out a massacre at a nursery in northeastern Thailand, killing 36 people, including 22 children.
Authorities are investigating the motive behind Monday’s attack and whether the suspect acted entirely alone.
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