Horrifying new footage has captured the moment a 61-year-old man carried out a deadly mass shooting at one of Bangkok’s busiest fresh food markets, leaving six people dead and several more injured before turning the gun on himself.
The massacre unfolded around 1 p.m. local time on Monday at the Or Tor Kor Market in the Chatuchak district—an area popular with both locals and tourists. The suspect, identified by police as Nai Noi, reportedly entered the market armed with a 9mm pistol and opened fire, targeting security guards in what investigators now believe was a premeditated attack driven by a years-long personal vendetta.
⚫ A Calculated Attack Captured on Camera
Surveillance footage shows Noi, dressed in a black T-shirt, cream-colored shorts, and wearing a camouflage-patterned backpack across his chest, approaching the market with a handgun in his right hand. Separate footage from inside the market captures the moment terrified shoppers screamed and fled as gunshots echoed through the narrow lanes.
Eyewitnesses said the scene turned chaotic within seconds. “People were screaming and running in every direction,” said one vendor who narrowly escaped the gunfire. “We didn’t know what was happening until we saw the gun.”
After fatally shooting five market security guards and injuring a bystander, Noi reportedly sat on a nearby bench and shot himself.
🔍 Motive Rooted in Years of Resentment
Though early speculation raised concerns about a potential link to ongoing tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border—as the shooting occurred near a humanitarian aid collection point—police have now ruled out any political or terror motive.
According to Bangkok’s deputy police chief, Worapat Sukthai, “This was a targeted, personal attack. We’re investigating a long-standing conflict between the shooter and a specific individual at the market.”
Authorities confirmed through interviews with Noi’s wife that the motive stemmed from a grudge he had held since 2019. That year, the tyres on his wife’s car—who worked as a vendor at the market—were slashed. Noi believed one of the security guards was responsible and had filed a complaint, but no action was taken. The festering resentment, combined with his heavy drinking habits and history of domestic abuse, may have fueled Monday’s deadly outburst.
Police Lt. Gen. Sayam stated:
“There is no link to sabotage or political unrest. The shooter was a Thai national, and this was purely a personal conflict. He had been speaking with his wife on the phone shortly before the attack. She was working nearby at the time and fled when she heard the first shot. She later identified the shooter as her husband.”
⚠️ A Country Battling Gun Violence
Thailand has seen a troubling rise in mass shootings in recent years, fueled in part by lax enforcement of gun control laws. According to police, the weapon used by Noi was legally owned, though it is unclear how long he had possessed it.
The Or Tor Kor massacre comes amid a string of deadly shootings in the country:
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In October 2023, a 14-year-old opened fire with a modified handgun at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok, killing two and injuring five.
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In October 2022, a former police officer launched a horrifying knife-and-gun rampage at a daycare center in Nong Bua Lam Phu province, killing 36 people, including 22 children.
Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet said an urgent investigation has been launched into Monday’s shooting, with officers reviewing hours of CCTV and speaking to witnesses and family members.
🇹🇭 Impact on Tourism and National Sentiment
Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, relies heavily on tourism. The country’s fragile post-pandemic economic recovery has left officials especially concerned that such high-profile acts of violence could deter travelers.
“This is not the image we want to project,” said one government tourism advisor. “The safety of public spaces needs to be reassured, both for locals and visitors.”
As the investigation continues, the market remains cordoned off, and grief hangs heavily over the community. Shoppers returned Tuesday morning to lay flowers and light candles at the site of the attack, mourning the senseless loss of life.
Police say more details about the weapon, the suspect’s mental health history, and the timeline of the shooting will be released in the coming days. Meanwhile, authorities urge the public to report any concerns or threats before they escalate.
“We need to listen more closely to signs of personal crisis,” one officer said. “This tragedy might have been preventable.