BANGKOK – A former Thai lawmaker is in police custody after a fatal shooting at a government office. The attack happened on Monday in Nonthaburi province, which sits on the outskirts of Bangkok. Authorities say the gunman opened fire at the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization building around 11 a.m. The attack claimed the life of a high-ranking local official and left his driver wounded.
This violent event has deeply shocked a local community that is already in deep mourning. Just days ago, a teenager opened fire at a local school in the same province. That previous attack left nine people dead, making it the worst mass shooting since 2022. These back-to-back tragedies have now quickly renewed intense debates over gun control across the country.
Key Takeaways
- Police arrested 71-year-old former Member of Parliament Chalong Riewraeng for the deadly Monday morning attack.
- Thongchai Yenprasert, the president of the provincial administrative organization, died from critical gunshot wounds.
- The shooting comes just days after a deadly school shooting in the same province.
Local police quickly identified the suspected shooter as Chalong Riewraeng, a 71-year-old former Member of Parliament. The victim was Thongchai Yenprasert, a former police officer who served as the provincial organization’s president. Thongchai suffered severe gunshot wounds to his head and neck before passing away at the hospital. Meanwhile, his driver sustained a gunshot wound to the arm but remains in stable condition.
Nonthaburi Still Reeling from Tragedy
Regional police commander Wattana Yeejeen stated that the tragic violence stemmed from a personal conflict. Following his arrest, Chalong confessed to the crime while speaking to journalists at the local police station. The former lawmaker claimed that he had a bitter argument with Thongchai over unpaid, borrowed money. He also alleged that Thongchai refused to talk and that a weapon was pulled on him first.
This latest gun attack happened while the Nonthaburi community was already grappling with profound grief. On Friday, a 14-year-old boy allegedly killed nine people, including his grandparents and local school staff. The boy opened fire at his home and then at Debsirin Nonthaburi School before taking his life. According to officials, the tragic rampage injured over 20 people and sent shockwaves throughout Thailand.
The pair of deadly incidents has forced the government to take immediate action regarding public safety. Students returning to classrooms on Monday faced much tighter security measures, including mandatory metal detectors. At the same time, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced his firm intention to strengthen national gun controls. Citizens are now demanding stricter laws to prevent future tragedies in Southeast Asia’s largest gun-owning nation.
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