Chaos Erupts at Popular Market
Gunman Targets Security Guards
On July 28, 2025, a 61-year-old man named Noi Praidaen unleashed a violent shooting at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, resulting in the loss of five lives, including four security guards and one female vendor, before taking his own life. The incident, occurring at 12:38 pm, sent panic through the bustling market, a popular spot for locals and tourists near Chatuchak Weekend Market. Two women were also injured, as reported by emergency services.
Personal Grudge Fuels Attack
Years-Long Dispute Over Car Damage
Bangkok police chief Lieutenant General Sayam Boonsom revealed that Noi’s actions stemmed from a personal vendetta against market security guards, sparked by a 2020 incident where his car was scratched. Noi, whose wife ran a stall at the market, forced a taxi driver at gunpoint to transport him to the scene, where he fired over 10 rounds from a legally owned 9mm CZ Shadow pistol. After targeting three guards and a specific guard named Nun, he shot a vendor despite her pleas, with CCTV capturing the harrowing moments.
Desperate Pleas Amid Violence
Vendor’s Final Moments Recorded
CCTV footage from 12:54 pm showed a female vendor hiding in her fish paste stall as Noi approached, ignoring desperate pleas from bystanders. When his gun initially jammed, he reloaded and fired twice at close range, then discharged a shot into the air while shouting angrily. The gunman, known for his volatile temper and past assaults on his wife when intoxicated, later sat on a bench near her stall and ended his life, leaving the market in shock.
Investigation Highlights Gun Ownership
Calls for Tighter Regulations
Police confirmed Noi had no criminal record but was a shooting club member, legally owning the firearm used in the attack. The incident, unrelated to Thailand’s ongoing border conflict with Cambodia, has reignited debates about the country’s high gun ownership rates, with over 10 million civilian-owned firearms. Authorities are analyzing CCTV and witness accounts to further understand the motive, while the tragedy underscores the need for stricter gun control to prevent future public safety crises.
