Man With Knife Attacks Shoppers, Damages Stores in Bangkok
A knife-wielding man attacked shoppers and vandalized multiple businesses in Bangkok's Asoke area on September 24, injuring four people before police arrested him. The Burmese suspect reportedly targeted the area while searching for his wif
A knife-wielding man went on a rampage in the Asoke area on Sukhumvit 21 Soi 3 around 7 a.m. on September 24, attacking pedestrians and vandalizing shops before police arrested him. Four people were injured, including the suspect, and multiple businesses and properties were damaged.
When reporters visited the scene at 10 a.m., they found several street vendors in the alley, including curry shops, grilled pork stalls, and fruit stands, all affected by the incident. The suspect used the knife to slash at shop doors and attempted to injure people in the area.
Initial reports indicate the suspect is a Burmese man who came looking for his wife but could not find her, which apparently triggered his violent outburst. The exact circumstances remain under investigation.
A hair salon employee, who works next to a coffee shop that was also attacked, said she was opening the shop when she heard commotion but stayed in another part of the store with customers. A coffee shop staff member was seriously injured when the man slashed her head. The shop owner later went to the police station to give a statement.
The employee said security concerns have increased because the area has many vagrants, and she must use this route to commute to school and home. She called on police to take stricter measures to protect residents in the area.
A grilled pork vendor, who was injured, recalled hearing loud noise while selling. She called her employee to go inside the neighboring shop and lock the door, but the suspect rushed in before it could be secured. She ducked inside, and when the suspect smashed the glass, shards cut her face. She did not realize she was injured until she saw blood on her face. Her shop had just opened and she had not started selling yet, so her equipment was damaged.
A curry shop owner said the suspect entered her shop area as she was setting up. She ran away and was not injured, but all her goods inside the shop were destroyed and scattered. The curry she had prepared for sale was completely ruined.
Typically she sells goods daily.
