A former Thai lawmaker has been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a senior local government official in Nonthaburi province, in an incident that he reportedly confessed to during a live YouTube programme.
Former Nonthaburi Member of Parliament Chalong Reawraeng is accused of opening fire on Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police colonel and head of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation.
The incident occurred outside Thongchai’s office.
He sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
His driver also suffered gunshot injuries to the arm and hand.
Shortly after the shooting, Chalong reportedly contacted political commentator Anchalee Paireerak while she was broadcasting live on YouTube.
During the call, he allegedly told her that he had shot Thongchai.
Anchalee appeared visibly stunned as she listened to the caller.
She was heard asking whether the victim had died before instructing him to remain at the scene until police arrived.
Chalong was subsequently taken into custody.
Police later permitted him to speak to journalists at a police station, where he attempted to give his account of the confrontation while smoking a cigarette.
He claimed that Thongchai had been upset with him but offered no clear explanation for the disagreement.
Chalong also described the deceased as a close friend and insisted that he had not initially planned to fire his weapon.
According to his account, he approached Thongchai because he wanted to discuss a matter with him.
He said the former police officer pushed him away and refused to speak.
Chalong alleged that the situation escalated when he followed Thongchai towards his vehicle and drew his firearm.
He claimed he only fired after Thongchai’s driver allegedly produced a weapon and aimed it at him.
Local media reports have suggested that the two men had been involved in a personal disagreement.
The killing occurred only three days after another deadly shooting in Thailand, in which a 14-year-old boy killed eight people at his home and school before taking his own life.
Authorities have said the two incidents are unrelated.
The latest case is expected to intensify calls for stricter firearm regulation in Thailand, which has one of the highest levels of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia.
Following Friday’s mass shooting, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed authorities to strengthen enforcement of existing firearm regulations.
Police were also ordered to establish checkpoints as part of efforts to curb gun-related violence.
The proposed measures include tighter supervision of firearm ownership, possession, transportation and use.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong