An armed man opened fire inside a well-known fresh food market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, Thailand, killing five people before turning the weapon on himself, according to Thai police. The tragic event unfolded at the Or Tor Kor Market, located near the famous Chatuchak Market, on Monday.
Among the deceased were security personnel who worked at the market. Two additional women sustained injuries during the attack and were rushed to the hospital to receive emergency medical treatment, the Erawan Medical Centre confirmed. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed by officials.
In a video circulating online, the suspected shooter is seen calmly walking through the market wearing a baseball cap and shorts, a backpack across his chest, and a handgun in his hand. Screams are heard in the video as the attacker navigates the market and shoots multiple people. A woman attempted to hide when she heard the explosions, but the armed man found and shot her multiple times. Additional footage shows him walking along the road where at least 2 bodies are lying on the ground.
In response to the attack, heavily armed special operations police were deployed to the scene. When law enforcement arrived, the area was quickly secured, allowing investigators to gather evidence.
Bangkok police have been ordered to expedite the investigation by Police General Kitrat Phanphet, the head of the national police force. According to reports, authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. A photograph was released of the suspected killer’s body positioned on a chair.
While police have not released specific information about the shooter or his reasons for the attack, they confirmed that he died by suicide shortly after the killings. The investigation into the shooter’s identity and motive is ongoing. Gun violence, though not widespread in Thailand, has drawn increased attention in recent years following a series of mass shootings.
