5 People Killed in Mass Shooting at Busy Food Market

In a horrifying midday massacre that has shocked Thailand, a gunman opened fire at one of Bangkok’s busiest food markets on Monday, leaving at least five people dead — including the shooter — and two more seriously injured.

The chaos erupted just after noon at Or Tor Kor Market, a bustling hub known for its premium produce and proximity to the tourist-heavy Chatuchak district. Shoppers and vendors fled in terror as gunshots rang out near a produce stall.

Authorities say the gunman, identified as a 61-year-old former security guard at the market, calmly walked in wearing a black T-shirt and camouflage shorts. Within minutes, three security guards and a female vendor lay dead. Two other women were rushed to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds.

“He knew exactly who he was targeting,” one witness told local media. “He didn’t say a word. Just aimed and fired.”

By the time police locked down the area, the carnage had ended. Officers discovered the shooter slumped on a bench with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A rucksack containing additional ammunition and personal belongings was found nearby.

Deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai confirmed, “So far, it’s being treated as a mass shooting. We are investigating the motive, but this appears personal.”

Police now believe the attack was rooted in a long-simmering personal vendetta. The suspect had worked as a security guard at Or Tor Kor in 2019. During that time, he reportedly became romantically involved with one of the market vendors and got into a heated dispute with a co-worker — a grudge that may have festered for years before exploding into violence.

“This wasn’t random,” one senior officer said. “He came with a plan, and he carried it out ruthlessly.”

The shooting took place just steps from a temporary aid station set up to support families displaced by escalating tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border, raising early concerns that the violence may have been politically motivated. However, police now say the relief center does not appear to be connected to the shooter’s actions.

“It’s a tragic coincidence,” said a spokesperson. “But we’re not ruling anything out yet.”

As forensic teams combed the bloodstained stalls for evidence, authorities urged the public to avoid the area. Many vendors were left in shock, with some calling for increased security measures at the market.

“This is supposed to be a safe place for families,” said one vendor whose stall was just feet away from the gunfire. “Now we’re scared to come to work.”

Thailand has seen a disturbing rise in gun violence in recent years. Monday’s rampage adds to a growing list of mass shootings that have rattled the nation’s sense of security.

Back in 2020, a disgruntled soldier killed 29 people in a mass shooting at a shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, marking one of the deadliest incidents in Thai history.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has yet to release a formal statement, but sources say he has been briefed and will meet with police officials in the coming days.