Today’s post contains images and descriptions about extreme violence. Reader caution is advised

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, home to around 14 million people is known for its canals, food, parties, temples, culture, and massage.

I know the city well. I have spent five years here over the last 12 years. I have many favourite spots. One of them is a fruit and produce market called OrTorkor, voted by CNN as one of the ten best markets in the world. The market is opposite our condo in Bangkok. It’s gate is a short walk from our building gate.

Frequented mostly by locals, it is opposite the more well-known and very touristy Chatujuk (Jatujuk) weekend market near to a Jatujuk and Queen Sirikit Parks. It’s known for its top quality and organic produce,

Little did we know that behind me, a hijacked taxi was pulling up at gate 1, and an agitated 61-year-old man was getting out. We walked two more metres. To our right were some food stands getting ready for the lunch rush, and to the left was the organic food section of the market. I then heard six pops. At the second pop, I was on the ground and beginning to crawl to my left under some stands covered with organic vegetables.

We did not yet know it, but we had been standing two metres from Mr. Anan (52 years old) a security guard who had been brutally shot with all six shots. His attacker, the taxi hijacker who had “anger management issues” had been feuding with the guard since 2020. I saw Mr Anan’s bleeding body with his life fluid still pouring out several minutes later.

As the next volley of five shots pumped their way into the next security guard, Mr. Vicha (55 years old), I scrambled through the door of a lockable section of the organic foods that one of the vendors was holding open. They closed the door, locked it, and placed an air conditioning unit against it.

All around us, people ran screaming as the pop pop pops continued. Some joined us in the organic room until we had about 20 in the space. Some were sobbing, and we held some as they wept at what they had seen. Others were confused, others in shock. We hid under tables and behind shelves. I shared an under-table with four women and 100kg of rice in 20kg bags. Others were talking to the police on their phones.

The killer walked around where we were hiding. In that short time, he had shot two more guards Mr. Preecha, 44 years old and Mr. Somsak, 51 years old.

After what felt like days, the police arrived and began securing the market from the east to the west. (we were in the east).

Meanwhile, the gunman was in the main part of the market, west of where I was in hiding.

CCTV footage captured a woman vendor ducking inside her fish paste stall as a woman’s voice was heard saying, “He’s approaching.” Repeated gunshots followed.

The gunman, wearing a cap, was then seen approaching a stall while a woman pleaded with him not to shoot. Multiple gunshots rang out. She was injured but so far lives.

Moments later, another woman can be heard on the CCTV pleading for her life. She tells the gunman she knows nothing of his situation and begs to be spared.

He next entered the fish paste stall where the vendor had been hiding. The footage shows he aimed his firearm at her, but it appeared to jam. Using his left hand, he pulled the slide on the handgun. He then shot the woman twice at close range, despite her pleas. She has survived so far.

The gunman walked out of the stall. Shouting angrily, he fired a shot into the air, and then murdered Miss Charyanan, 64 years old, another market vendor.

At this point. I saw the police moving forward to the west with drawn guns. The man then killed himself 230 metres from where I was hiding. He died on one of the benches outside my favourite café, Royal Project Coffee Shop.

The police evacuated us single file to the east and back out gate one. Staff, customers, workers. We passed the ambulance as they tried to revive one of the guards..

Two days later, I went back to the market for coffee and lunch. I made sure to support the people at Royal Project coffee. I smiled bravely outside in defiance of the shooter who destroyed so much. I saw the guy who had let us into the place we sheltered and thanked him. I’ve of the women who has sheltered near me, greeted me warmly. I spoke to four of my regular vendors. Two had run and two had sheltered in their stores and heard everything that had taken place with the women who had been shot.

The market was very subdued with few customers and lots of the staff having conversations with each other about the events on the Monday.

They had set up for a Buddhist cleansing ceremony. They appeared to be expecting 11 or 12 monks. The most common numbers invited for ceremonies are 5, 7, or 9 monks so this is a very significant number.

This place will never be the same for many thousands of people, especially those who work there. My life won’t be the same. I am very glad to be alive. Thinking of those who died and their families.