A tragic mass shooting unfolded in Chatuchak District Market (ตลาดเขตจตุจักร) when a 61-year-old stall owner opened fire on fellow vendors and workers before taking his own life. The incident left six people dead and two others seriously injured.
The shocking event occurred on the morning of July 28 in the heart of the bustling market, one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial areas. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots in rapid succession, causing chaos as vendors and shoppers scrambled for safety.
According to initial police reports, the suspected gunman, identified only as a 61-year-old long-time stall owner, fatally shot four individuals at close range in the head. Two others—both market sellers—were also gunned down shortly afterward. Authorities confirmed the man then turned the weapon on himself, dying at the scene.
The injured victims, currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, remain in critical condition. Emergency responders were quick to secure the area, and forensic teams began collecting evidence as grieving families gathered outside the market.
Police are investigating a personal or business-related conflict as the likely motive behind the attack. Early indications suggest that the suspect had been involved in an ongoing dispute with other vendors or market management, which may have escalated to deadly violence.
“This is a deeply disturbing incident,” said a senior officer from the Bangkok Metropolitan Police. “Our initial findings point to a long-standing conflict within the market. We are interviewing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage to better understand what led to this tragedy.”
Authorities are also looking into whether the suspect had a legal permit for the firearm used in the attack. Thailand has strict gun control laws, but illegal firearms remain a persistent issue in some areas.
Locals expressed shock and disbelief over the violence in what is usually a peaceful, community-centered space. “I’ve known him [the shooter] for years,” said one nearby vendor. “He never seemed violent, but recently he had looked more stressed and withdrawn.”
The Thai government has yet to issue an official statement, but the incident is expected to reignite national conversations about mental health, small business stress, and public safety in crowded areas.
In the meantime, the Chatuchak market has been temporarily closed to allow authorities to complete their investigation and offer support to the victims’ families.
Officials urge the public to remain calm and avoid sharing graphic content online out of respect for the deceased and their loved ones.
This shooting adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Thailand in recent years that have raised concerns about conflict resolution and access to firearms. Police continue to gather information to determine how a seemingly isolated conflict spiraled into one of the deadliest market shootings in recent memory.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
