Gunman Kills Five in Bangkok Before Turning Weapon on Himself
According to Thai police, the man opened fire on a group of security guards at a local agricultural market in the Bang Sue district of Thailand's capital.
Authorities confirmed the five victims were all security personnel working at the market. The attacker later took his own life, said Charin Gopatta, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, in a statement to Reuters.
Investigation Underway
"Police are investigating the identity of the person and the motive for the incident," the police said. Video footage shared by authorities shows a suspect in a white hat and chest-slung backpack calmly walking through the market's parking lot moments before the deadly rampage.
No Tourists Harmed
In a bit of relief, officials confirmed that no foreign visitors were injured or killed in the shooting. With tourism being a major pillar of Thailand's economy, any incident like this can shake public sentiment, especially with the country already facing slow economic growth.
A Pattern of Gun Violence
Thailand has seen a worrying rise in gun-related violence in recent years. Just last October, a 14-year-old used a modified handgun to kill two and injure five at a luxury mall in central Bangkok. And in 2022, a former police officer carried out a devastating nursery attack, killing 36 people — 22 of them children.
While gun ownership is legal in Thailand, experts say lax enforcement and easy access are fueling a disturbing trend in public shootings.
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