A tragic event unfolded at the Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok on Monday, where five individuals lost their lives in a mass shooting. The police have revealed that the perpetrator, a Thai man, took his own life following the attack. Four of the deceased were security guards stationed at the market, while the fifth victim was an employee.
Authorities reported that two other sellers sustained injuries during the incident. According to Police Lieutenant Siam Boonsom, prior disputes between the gunman and the security personnel may have prompted the shooting. It was also noted that the incident was not connected to Thailand's ongoing conflict with neighboring Cambodia.
The Or Tor Kor Market, known for its fresh fruit and seafood, serves as a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists. While Thailand has a relatively high rate of gun ownership compared to other countries in the region, mass shootings are rare, despite several violent episodes occurring in recent years. In 2023, a tragic incident involved a 14-year-old boy who shot two individuals and injured five at a luxury shopping center in downtown Bangkok.
Further exacerbating concerns, a former police officer committed a horrific act in October 2022, leading to the deaths of 37 individuals, predominantly children, at a childcare center in Nong Bua Lamphu province. Additionally, a soldier was responsible for another mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2020, resulting in 29 casualties and numerous injuries. These incidents highlight a disturbing trend in gun violence that has emerged in Thailand, prompting urgent discussions on public safety and gun control.
