In brief
Chalong Reawraeng, a former member of Thailand’s parliament, allegedly fired a shot that killed Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police officer and president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization. The incident took place outside Yenprasert’s office and ended with the MP and Yenprasert’s driver wounded. After surrendering to police, Reawraeng held a press conference at the station, smoking a cigarette while explaining a personal dispute as the motive. The confession was relayed to a YouTube‑live political commentator, whose stunned reaction was captured on video. The shooting follows a recent mass school tragedy and intensifies debates over Thailand’s gun laws, prompting the prime minister to vow stricter enforcement and checkpoint patrols.
Chalong Reawraeng, a former Nonthaburi parliamentarian, reportedly shot and killed former police officer Thongchai Yenprasert outside the officer’s office. Immediately after the incident, the MP called a YouTube‑live host and recorded a confession detailing the shootout.
Yenprasert, a retired police colonel who headed the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization, was hit in the neck and died in hospital. His driver sustained gunshot wounds to the arm and hand. Reawraeng was subsequently arrested, but was allowed to hold a press conference at the local police station where he reiterated that he did not intend to shoot Yenprasert, who he described as a “good friend.”
During the press conference, Reawraeng claimed the conflict originated from a personal dispute, recounting that Yenprasert “pushed me” and repeated “I don’t want to talk.” He proceeded to follow Yenprasert toward his vehicle, fired a gun while claiming the driver had turned a weapon on him, and argued that the shooting was self‑defence.
The footage of the live‑stream confession was captured by political commentator Anchalee Paireerak, who was livestreaming on YouTube at the time. Viewers saw her take a call mid‑program, express shock and ask the caller whether the victim had died, and urge him to remain in place while waiting for police.
The incident came just three days after a 14‑year‑old student opened fire at his home and school, killing seven people before taking his own life. Though unrelated, both tragedies have intensified debate over Thailand’s gun laws, which rank as the highest in Southeast Asia.
In response to the school shooting, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a crackdown on firearms, promising tighter enforcement, new checkpoints, and stricter possession and use controls. The current shooting may further galvanise these efforts and prompt further scrutiny of the legal status of firearms in Thailand.
(Image source: Reuters)
