Former Thai MP Shoots Local Official Days After School Shooting
Digital desk
Former Thai MP Chalong Reawraeng allegedly shot Nonthaburi official Thongchai Yenprasert and his driver days after a deadly school shooting in the province.
A former Thai lawmaker shot a senior local official and his driver in Thailand's Nonthaburi province on Monday, just days after a separate shooting at a school in the same province left several people dead.
The incident involved 71-year-old Chalong Reawraeng, a former three-term member of Parliament from Nonthaburi. He allegedly shot Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, along with his driver.
Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment. Thongchai is a former police officer.
Shooting announced during livestream
The incident took an unusual turn after Chalong contacted a YouTuber who was conducting a livestream following the shooting.
According to reports cited by BBC News, Chalong told the YouTuber that he had shot Thongchai. The conversation was captured during the livestream.
The YouTuber, identified as former journalist Anchalee Paireerak, could be heard urging Chalong not to leave the location and to wait for police.
"Did he die? Did he die? You shot him in the head? You need to wait there for the cops. Don't go anywhere," Paireerak was heard saying during the conversation.
Police subsequently apprehended Chalong. Authorities have not yet publicly established a motive for the shooting.
Possible dispute under investigation
Local media reports have suggested that Chalong told journalists after his arrest that he was angry because Thongchai had refused to grant a favour he had requested.
The claim has not been established as the official motive, and investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged request and the events leading up to the shooting.
Officials have yet to provide a detailed account of the sequence of events or clarify whether the weapon used in the attack was legally owned.
Comes after school shooting
The latest incident occurred only three days after a deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district.
In that earlier incident, a 14-year-old boy reportedly killed his grandparents at their home before opening fire at the school. At least six people were killed at the school before the teenager died by suicide, according to reports.
The two shootings have occurred within a short period in the same province, raising fresh concerns over gun violence. However, authorities have so far provided no indication that the two incidents are connected.
The investigation into Chalong's shooting remains separate from the school case.
Former lawmaker's political career
Chalong has had a long political career in Thailand and served three terms as an MP representing Nonthaburi.
He was previously associated with the Pheu Thai Party and later contested the most recent election unsuccessfully as a candidate for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party.
Chalong was also known by the nickname "cobra", a term sometimes used in Thai politics for lawmakers who break with their party's position.
His political history includes an incident in 1997 when he reportedly went against his party's instructions and supported a prime ministerial candidate from another political party.
Police investigation continues
Authorities are now investigating the shooting, including the relationship between Chalong and Thongchai, the circumstances surrounding the alleged request, and the events immediately before the attack.
The condition of the two injured victims has not been fully disclosed in the initial reports.
The shooting has added to concerns surrounding gun violence in Thailand, particularly because it occurred only days after a separate deadly attack involving a school.
Police are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.
Former Thai MP Shoots Local Official Days After School Shooting
Digital desk
A former Thai lawmaker shot a senior local official and his driver in Thailand's Nonthaburi province on Monday, just days after a separate shooting at a school in the same province left several people dead.
The incident involved 71-year-old Chalong Reawraeng, a former three-term member of Parliament from Nonthaburi. He allegedly shot Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, along with his driver.
Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment. Thongchai is a former police officer.
Shooting announced during livestream
The incident took an unusual turn after Chalong contacted a YouTuber who was conducting a livestream following the shooting.
According to reports cited by BBC News, Chalong told the YouTuber that he had shot Thongchai. The conversation was captured during the livestream.
The YouTuber, identified as former journalist Anchalee Paireerak, could be heard urging Chalong not to leave the location and to wait for police.
"Did he die? Did he die? You shot him in the head? You need to wait there for the cops. Don't go anywhere," Paireerak was heard saying during the conversation.
Police subsequently apprehended Chalong. Authorities have not yet publicly established a motive for the shooting.
Possible dispute under investigation
Local media reports have suggested that Chalong told journalists after his arrest that he was angry because Thongchai had refused to grant a favour he had requested.
The claim has not been established as the official motive, and investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged request and the events leading up to the shooting.
Officials have yet to provide a detailed account of the sequence of events or clarify whether the weapon used in the attack was legally owned.
Comes after school shooting
The latest incident occurred only three days after a deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district.
In that earlier incident, a 14-year-old boy reportedly killed his grandparents at their home before opening fire at the school. At least six people were killed at the school before the teenager died by suicide, according to reports.
The two shootings have occurred within a short period in the same province, raising fresh concerns over gun violence. However, authorities have so far provided no indication that the two incidents are connected.
The investigation into Chalong's shooting remains separate from the school case.
Former lawmaker's political career
Chalong has had a long political career in Thailand and served three terms as an MP representing Nonthaburi.
He was previously associated with the Pheu Thai Party and later contested the most recent election unsuccessfully as a candidate for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party.
Chalong was also known by the nickname "cobra", a term sometimes used in Thai politics for lawmakers who break with their party's position.
His political history includes an incident in 1997 when he reportedly went against his party's instructions and supported a prime ministerial candidate from another political party.
Police investigation continues
Authorities are now investigating the shooting, including the relationship between Chalong and Thongchai, the circumstances surrounding the alleged request, and the events immediately before the attack.
The condition of the two injured victims has not been fully disclosed in the initial reports.
The shooting has added to concerns surrounding gun violence in Thailand, particularly because it occurred only days after a separate deadly attack involving a school.
Police are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.
Recommended For You
--------
🚨 Beat the News Rush – Join Now!
Get breaking alerts, hot exclusives, and game-changing stories instantly on your phone. No delays, no fluff – just the edge you need. ⚡
Tap to join:
🟢 WhatsApp Channel: Dainik Jagran MP CG
Crave more?
🅕 Facebook: Dainik Jagran MP CG English
🅧 Twitter (X): Dainik Jagran MP CG
🅘 Instagram: Dainik Jagran MP CG
Share the fire – keep your crew ahead! 🗞️🔥
