BANGKOK (AP) - A tragic shooting at the Or Tor Kor fresh food market in Bangkok took place on Monday, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including security personnel. The incident ended with the gunman reportedly taking his own life, as confirmed by police.
The victims comprised primarily security guards stationed at the market, which is located in the Chatuchak district, a vibrant area known for attracting both Thai locals and tourists from abroad. In addition to the deceased, the Erawan Medical Center reported that two women sustained injuries during the shooting.
The market is situated adjacent to the popular Chatuchak weekend Market, where a diverse range of goods is available for visitors. Eyewitness accounts indicated that a video circulating online depicted the shooter dressed in a baseball cap and shorts, conspicuously carrying a backpack secured to his chest while wielding a handgun.
Authorities are currently conducting an extensive investigation to glean further details about the suspect, particularly regarding his motive for the attack. Police General Kitrat Phanphet, the head of Thailand's national police force, has instructed local law enforcement agencies to expedite their inquiry and collect all pertinent evidence, including closed-circuit television footage from the scene.
Gun violence, while considered relatively uncommon in Thailand, is not entirely rare, given the country's strict gun laws paired with a high prevalence of firearms ownership. Previous mass shootings in Thailand illustrate the concerning trend of gun-related violence in the nation.
The most recent significant shooting incident occurred in October 2023 when a teenage boy armed with a modified blank pistol opened fire at the Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, injuring over seven individuals and leading to three fatalities. This incident adds to the disturbing history of violence in public spaces in the capital.
One of the deadliest mass shootings in Thai history unfolded in October 2022 in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lamphua, where a former police sergeant, having lost his job, killed 36 people, which tragically included two dozen toddlers at a daycare center.
Furthermore, in February 2020, a disgruntled soldier assaulted civilians, killing 29 individuals, primarily at a shopping mall in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima, before his reign of terror was cut short by law enforcement after an 18-hour standoff.
The pattern of such violent acts raises serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of existing gun control measures in Thailand, urging a nationwide discussion about the root causes of gun violence and the necessary reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.
