Former MP Chalong Reawraeng allegedly shot and killed Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police colonel and head of the Nonthaburi PAO, outside Thongchai's office; the victim later died in hospital and his driver was wounded. Chalong phoned into a live YouTube broadcast to confess and was arrested; at a later police press briefing he claimed he fired after the driver allegedly drew a gun. The killing follows a recent mass shooting and is expected to renew debate over stricter gun controls in Thailand.
Ex-Thai MP Allegedly Kills Local Official, Calls Into YouTube Livestream to Confess
Former lawmaker Chalong Riewrang smokes at a police station where he held a press conference [Reuters]
A former member of Thailand's House of Representatives allegedly shot dead a local government official in Nonthaburi province and then phoned into a live YouTube broadcast to tell the programme's host what he had done.
What Happened
Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Reawraeng is accused of shooting Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police colonel and president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), outside Thongchai's office. Thongchai was struck in the neck and later died in hospital. The victim's driver suffered gunshot wounds to the arm and hand and was treated for his injuries.
Arrest, Confession and Press Briefing
Chalong was arrested at the scene. While in police custody he was allowed to hold a press briefing at a police station where, smoking a cigarette, he sought to explain the incident. He described Thongchai as a "good friend" and said he did not intend to kill.
[Reuters]
Chalong told reporters he had approached Thongchai to talk and — according to local media — that the two men had been involved in a personal dispute. He said the encounter turned physical: "He [Thongchai] then pushed me, saying 'I don't want to talk, I don't want to talk.'" Chalong said he followed Thongchai toward his car and that when he drew his gun the driver allegedly pointed a firearm at him, prompting Chalong to fire.
The Livestream Call
Earlier the same day, Chalong rang political commentator Anchalee Paireerak while she was livestreaming on YouTube and admitted to the shooting over the phone. Video of the broadcast shows Anchalee answering the call mid-programme and reacting with visible shock. On the footage she asks questions such as "Did he die?" and urges the caller to wait for police at the scene.
Context and Next Steps
The shooting comes days after a separate mass attack in which a 14-year-old killed eight people and then himself; officials say the two incidents are not related. The latest killing is likely to intensify debate about gun control in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of civilian firearm ownership in Southeast Asia. Following the earlier school attack, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered tighter enforcement of firearms laws and said police would set up checkpoints and consider additional measures to restrict possession, carrying and use of weapons.
Note: The incident is under investigation and Chalong remains an alleged suspect. Authorities will determine motive and whether criminal charges will be filed.
(Reporting based on local media and international footage.)
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