Gunman Targeted Guards Over Personal Grievance

The shooting took place in the bustling Chatuchak district of northern Bangkok. Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the attacker held a grudge against a guard whom he believed had keyed his car. The gunman had reportedly spoken about this grievance frequently to his wife.

On the morning of the attack, the gunman told a taxi driver of his intent to carry out a shooting at the market. Upon arrival, he opened fire on three guards at an entrance before finding and killing his primary target. He then entered the market, where he shot and killed a female vendor and injured two others. He later died by suicide at the scene.

Authorities said the suspect used a firearm in the assault, but did not disclose whether he was a licensed gun owner or linked to security forces.

Gun Violence Persists Amid Broader National Strains

While mass shootings in Thailand are considered rare, the country has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership and firearm-related homicides in Southeast Asia. Many high-profile shootings in recent years have stemmed from personal feuds and have often involved former army or police officers, who can obtain firearms at reduced prices through state channels.

The market shooting comes at a time when Thailand is already dealing with a violent border standoff with Cambodia. The overlapping crises have added to public concerns over safety and the accessibility of weapons in civilian spaces.