A gunman killed five people before taking his own life at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, July 28, 2025. Authorities are treating the tragedy as a mass shooting and have launched a full investigation.
The event unfolded at 12:31 p.m. local time at the popular fresh food market in the Chatuchak district of northern Bangkok, adjacent to the sprawling Chatuchak weekend market. Or Tor Kor is known for its wide selection of agricultural goods and local food, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
Police indicated that four of the victims were security guards working at the market, while the fifth person killed was a vendor. Two women were also wounded and taken to Phyathai Phahol Hospital for treatment. The Erawan Medical Center, Bangkok’s emergency coordination hub, confirmed the casualty figures.
Security footage revealed the suspect dressed in a black T-shirt, a baseball cap, and camouflage shorts, with a backpack across his chest. Videos shared online appeared to show the man walking through the market with a handgun in his right hand. The suspect reportedly left the market grounds and ended his life on a nearby bench.
Deputy Police Chief Worapat Sukthai from the Bang Sue district confirmed to reporters that the investigation was ongoing. He stated, “Police are working to determine the motive. At this stage, it’s a mass shooting.”
Officials identified the shooter as a 61-year-old Thai man who previously worked as a security guard at Or Tor Kor. Early findings suggest personal tensions with former coworkers, stemming from incidents in 2019 involving a relationship with a vendor and disputes with other security staff, including a reported issue over a scratched car incident.
The violence occurred near a collection area set up to raise funds for those affected by the Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Nevertheless, investigators determined the shooting was unrelated to the border dispute or associated relief efforts.
After the shooting, police from Bang Sue Station secured the market and advised the public to avoid the area until it was safe. Visitors were instructed to remain indoors, keeping doors and windows locked as authorities responded.
Thailand’s national police chief, Police General Kitrat Phanphet, directed local investigators to quickly gather all available evidence, including reviewing market security camera footage. Authorities confirmed that no tourists were among the victims or injured.
Thailand ranks among the highest in Southeast Asia for gun ownership and firearm fatalities, trailing only the Philippines in both overall and per capita numbers. The country has suffered several mass shootings in recent times, such as a 2020 incident in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a junior army officer killed 29 and injured 58 others.
In 2023, police arrested a 14-year-old boy after a fatal shooting at a high-end shopping center in Bangkok. The preceding year saw a former police officer massacre 38 people, including children and teachers, in a nursery attack, marking the country’s deadliest mass killing.
The shooting at Or Tor Kor Market has sparked fears about its potential effects on Thailand’s crucial tourism sector, already challenged by economic slowdown. Tourism authorities have recently worked to position Thailand as a welcoming destination, especially after the introduction of same-sex marriage laws in January 2025. The Tourism Authority has launched campaigns like “Go Thai Be Free” and is planning to host World Pride 2028, promoting Thailand as an LGBTQ+ friendly and wedding destination.