Five people died and several more were traumatised in a terrible mass shooting at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok. This is yet another terrible chapter in Thailand’s history of gun violence. The event has caused a lot of worry among people who live there, tourists, and people from other countries who are watching, especially Australians who are interested in travelling to the area.
What went down at the Or Tor Kor Market?
Around 12:31 PM local time, a single shooter opened fire at the busy Or Tor Kor fresh food market in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district. The gunman killed five security guards and hurt another person before killing himself. The Royal Thai Police are actively looking into why the attack happened.
The first videos from the scene showed scenes that were scary and chaotic. People were lying on the street, and the shooter, who had a gun, was seen running through the market. As police officers rushed to control the situation, visitors and vendors who were scared ran for safety.
Victims and effects
Reports in the local media say that all five of those killed worked as security guards at the market. The deaths have not only shocked the people who live there, but they have also shown how unsafe public places are in a country that is already dealing with random acts of violence.
Or Tor Kor Market is a well-known academics.
People know Or Tor Kor Market for its fresh fruit and seafood, which are some of the finest in the area. situated close to the busy Chatuchak Market, it draws both locals and tourists, especially on weekends. The fact that the shooting happened in such a busy and well-known area has made people in Bangkok additionally worried about their safety.
An investigation and possible reasons
The police are now checking who the shooter is and looking into possible reasons for the shooting. One thing being looked into is a possible link to the ongoing problems at the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai said that the event was being treated as a mass shooting, but there is still no clear motive for it.
Travellers should be careful
After the event, Australia’s Smartraveller advisory service sent out new warnings. When Australians travel to Thailand, especially to Bangkok and other major tourist areas like Phuket, they should be very careful.
The advisory says:
- Terrorist threats that keep happening
- Violent events that happen without warning
- More dangerous in public places and popular tourist areas
There is still a Do Not Travel warning for provinces that are within 50 kilometres of the Thailand-Cambodia border. These are Buriram, Si Saket, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, and Trat on the mainland.
The Australian Embassy in Thailand has told travellers not to go to the Or Tor Kor Market area until further notice.
Gun violence in Thailand is becoming a bigger problem.
Over the past few years, there have been a lot of mass shootings in Thailand. These kinds of incidents don’t happen as often as they do in some other countries, but they do happen with disturbing regularity because gun control isn’t very strict and guns are easy to get.
Previous mass shootings in Thailand that killed people:
- In 2023, a 14-year-old shot and killed two people and hurt five others at a high-end shopping mall in central Bangkok.
- In October 2022, a former police officer killed 37 people, most of them children, at a childcare centre in Nong Bua Lamphu province.
- A soldier killed 29 people and hurt dozens more in a terrible shooting spree in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2020.
These events show how easy it is to get and use deadly weapons in public places, which is very alarming.
People’s reactions and attention around the world
The event has caused concern around the world, especially in Australia, where many people go to Thailand for vacation. Families of the victims are grieving, and the government is under more pressure to review gun control laws and make public safety measures stronger.
Thai people used social media to show their shock and sadness and call for stricter laws and faster emergency response systems.
What needs to change in the future?
As Thailand’s gun violence problem becomes worse, more and more people are calling for:
- Stricter firearm licensing
- Better mental health checks for gun owners
- More police and surveillance in public places
- Teaching people about the risks of illegal guns
The shooting at the Or Tor Kor Market is a tragic reminder of how important it is to find long-term solutions to gun-related problems.
Last thoughts
The mass shooting at Or Tor Kor in Bangkok has left a scar on a country that is already tired from other attacks. As international travel slowly returns to normal, safety in popular tourist areas is more important than ever. As the investigations continue and the community mourns, the focus now turns to the Thai government and how willing they are to make real changes.
The message is clear for both Australians and travellers from around the world: stay alert, stay informed, and put safety first when visiting busy international cities.
