A gunman opened fire at a popular tourist market in Bangkok on Monday, killing five people before taking his own life in an attack driven by a personal grudge against a security guard he believed had keyed his car, according to police officials.
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Thailand has long struggled with one of the highest rates of gun ownership and gun homicides in Southeast Asia. While mass shootings remain relatively rare in the country, their frequency is notably higher compared to other nations in the region. Most high-profile shootings in recent years have stemmed from personal disputes, with many perpetrators being former military or police personnel who can purchase weapons at substantial discounts from the government.
Gun violence is particularly prevalent in Thailand’s southern regions, where Muslim insurgents have been engaged in conflict with authorities for decades. The accessibility of firearms among former security forces has contributed significantly to the country’s gun violence statistics, creating an environment where personal grievances can escalate into deadly confrontations.
The latest shooting incident occurred at the Or Tor Kor market in the Chatuchak district of northern Bangkok, a well-known tourist destination. Four of the victims were security guards at the market, while the fifth was a female vendor, the Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre reported.
Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, told reporters that the gunman harboured anger toward a market guard over damage he believed the guard had inflicted on his vehicle. The shooter had repeatedly voiced his grievances about this issue to his wife, according to Lt. Gen. Siam.
On the day of the attack, the gunman informed a taxi driver of his intention to shoot the guards at the market. He first opened fire on three guards at an entrance before pursuing his primary target. After shooting the guard he held responsible, the assailant moved inside the market, where he killed one seller and injured two others before turning the gun on himself.
Meanwhile, Thailand is already dealing with tensions from a deadly border clash with Cambodia, adding to the country’s security concerns.
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