Gunman Kills Five at Bangkok Market, Adding to Thailand's Gun Violence History

A shooting at a bustling fresh food market in Bangkok, Thailand, has resulted in the deaths of five individuals. The gunman, who opened fire at the Or Tor Kor market in the Chatuchak district, subsequently took his own life.

Among the victims were security personnel stationed at the market. Emergency medical services reported that two women sustained injuries during the incident. The market, adjacent to the expansive Chatuchak Market, is a popular destination for both Thai residents and international visitors, offering a wide array of goods.

Footage circulating online reportedly depicted the shooter, identified as wearing a baseball cap and shorts, moving through the market with a backpack and a handgun. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the suspect's identity and the motive behind the attack.

The national police chief has instructed city police to expedite their investigation, gathering all available evidence, including surveillance footage. Gun violence is not uncommon in Thailand, a country with relatively strict gun laws but a high rate of gun ownership.

This incident follows previous instances of mass shootings in the country. In October 2023, a teenage boy opened fire at a shopping mall in Bangkok, resulting in multiple injuries and three fatalities. Prior to that, in October 2022, a former police officer killed 36 people in a mass shooting in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lamphua. Another incident occurred in February 2020, when a disgruntled soldier killed 29 people in Nakhon Ratchasima.