A mass shooting rocked the bustling Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on Monday, claiming the lives of five people, including four security guards and one market vendor, according to Thai authorities.

The gunman, identified as a 61-year-old former security guard from Khong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, also died by suicide at the scene, bringing the total death toll to six. Three others, including two women, were injured and rushed to Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital for treatment, with one additional security guard succumbing to injuries later, as reported by the Erawan Emergency Medical Centre.

The attack unfolded around 12:40 p.m. local time when the gunman, dressed in a black T-shirt, camouflage shorts, and carrying a camouflage-patterned backpack on his chest, stormed the market near the Bang Sue police station. Chilling CCTV footage captured the assailant, identified by local media as “Mr. Noi,” firing multiple rounds indiscriminately, sending terrified shoppers and vendors scrambling for cover behind stalls. After the rampage, the gunman fled briefly before sitting on a bench within the market complex and fatally shooting himself, according to Thai police and local outlet The Matichon.

“Police are investigating the motive. So far, it’s a mass shooting,” said Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bangkok’s Bang Sue district, in a statement to AFP. Authorities are exploring potential links to ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, though no definitive connection has been established. The suspect’s prior employment at the same security firm as the slain guards has raised speculation of a personal grudge, but police have urged the public to await official investigation results, dismissing any immediate ties to terrorism or border disputes.

The Or Tor Kor Market, renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit, seafood, and local delicacies, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, located near the iconic Chatuchak weekend market. No tourists were reported killed or injured in the incident, confirmed Sanong Saengmani, a police official in the Bang Sue district. The market was cordoned off as a crime scene, with authorities advising nearby residents to stay indoors and urging others to avoid the area until cleared.

Thailand’s relatively high gun ownership rates, second only to the Philippines in Southeast Asia for firearms-related deaths, have contributed to a series of high-profile mass shootings in recent years, despite stricter regulations compared to some Western nations. Over six million registered firearms are in circulation in a country of 66.7 million people, according to 2018 data. Notable incidents include a 2023 shooting by a 14-year-old at Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok, which killed two and injured five, and a 2022 attack by a former policeman in Nong Bua Lamphu province, where 36 people, including 22 children, were killed in a childcare center massacre. In 2020, a soldier’s rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima left 29 dead and dozens injured.

The tragedy has sparked renewed concern over gun violence in Thailand, where lax enforcement of gun control laws has allowed firearms to remain accessible, particularly for former security personnel. The incident, occurring near a donation point for soldiers involved in Thailand-Cambodia border clashes, has also heightened local anxieties. Tourism, a vital economic driver for Thailand’s sluggish economy, could face further strain as such incidents risk deterring visitors to popular destinations like Or Tor Kor.

Police continue to investigate the shooter’s motives and background, with forensic teams analyzing evidence at the scene. The attack has left the community in shock, with onlookers expressing distress as the vibrant market, typically filled with the aromas of fresh produce, became a scene of chaos and tragedy. (ILKHA)