A gunman fatally shot five individuals before ending his own life at the Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, July 28, 2025. Police have labeled the event a mass shooting.
The incident began at 12:31 p.m. local time at the popular fresh food market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Known for its local produce and culinary offerings, the market draws both residents and tourists, being adjacent to the expansive Chatuchak weekend market.
According to police, four security guards and one merchant were among the deceased. Additionally, two women sustained injuries and were taken to Phyathai Phahol Hospital for medical care. The Erawan Medical Center, responsible for coordinating emergency medical services in Bangkok, verified the casualty numbers.
Security footage depicted the shooter dressed in a black T-shirt, baseball cap, and camouflage shorts, with a backpack strapped to his chest. A circulated video purportedly showed the gunman walking through the market holding a handgun. After fleeing the market, he reportedly shot himself on a nearby bench.
Deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai from the Bang Sue district stated, “Police are investigating the motive. So far, it’s a mass shooting,” as he informed news agencies.
The gunman was identified as a 61-year-old Thai citizen and former security guard at the market. Initial investigations revealed personal conflicts with ex-colleagues dating back to 2019, linked to a relationship with a market vendor and a car-scratching incident.
The attack occurred near a donation point set up to assist victims of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict. However, authorities confirmed the shooting was not related to the border tensions or aid efforts.
Following the shooting, Bang Sue Police Station officers secured the market area and advised the public to avoid the vicinity until it was deemed safe. Shoppers were directed to stay indoors with doors and windows locked during the police operation.
Police General Kitrat Phanphet, head of Thailand’s national police, instructed city police to swiftly investigate and gather evidence, including closed-circuit television footage. Authorities confirmed that no tourists were harmed in the event.
The shooting took place amid ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, which had persisted for five days. Thai and Cambodian leaders were convening in Malaysia to discuss the border conflict, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating State Department involvement in peace discussions.
Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership and related fatalities in Southeast Asia, second only to the Philippines. The country has faced several mass shootings in recent years, including a 2020 attack by a junior army officer in Nakhon Ratchasima that resulted in 29 deaths and 58 injuries.
In 2023, Thai police arrested a 14-year-old for a fatal shooting at a luxury mall in Bangkok. The previous year, a former policeman’s attack on a nursery, killing 38 people, marked Thailand’s deadliest rampage.
The Or Tor Kor Market shooting raises concerns about its potential impact on Thailand’s tourism sector, a crucial economic component amid slow growth. Tourism officials have promoted Thailand as an attractive destination following the January 2025 enactment of the country’s gay marriage law. The Tourism Authority of Thailand launched campaigns like “Go Thai Be Free” to highlight the nation as an LGBTQ+ friendly and wedding destination, with aspirations to host World Pride 2028.
