- Police arrested former local MP Chalong Riewrang for the attack on Monday outside Bangkok.
- The victim was Thongchai Yenprasert, chairman of the Provincial Administrative Organisation in Nonthaburi, who was shot in the face and neck and died in hospital.
- The shooting occurred at the offices of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation around 11am local time (5am UK time).
- Police Lieutenant General Wattana Yijin said the motive was personal and the suspect admitted carrying out the shooting.
- Chalong said he argued with Thongchai over money he had lent him, followed him to his car, and drew his weapon after the driver pointed a gun at him.
- Chalong expressed remorse, saying he wanted to apologise to the people of Nonthaburi and that he had no intention to shoot.
- This incident follows a mass shooting in which a 14-year-old boy killed nine people, Thailand's worst since 2022, prompting calls for stronger gun controls.
- Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession (about 15 per 100 residents) per a 2017 estimate, and the prime minister has ordered tougher enforcement against public gun carrying.
Former Thai MP Chalong Riewrang was arrested for the shooting death of Thongchai Yenprasert, chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, following a personal dispute over borrowed money. The incident occurred around 11am local time at the organization's offices, where Chalong admitted to firing at Thongchai after a heated argument.1234
Chalong stated, "I had no intention. We were friends and I thought we could talk it out, but he wouldn't talk to me." Thongchai suffered critical injuries and later died in the hospital. This shooting is the second in three days, following a mass shooting that left nine dead, prompting renewed calls for stricter gun control measures in Thailand.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, or about 15 guns per 100 residents, according to a 2017 Small Arms Survey. In response to the recent violence, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered tougher enforcement against public gun carrying and announced plans for police checkpoints to crack down on illegal firearms. He emphasized, "No one has the right to carry a firearm, especially in a public place."131415
As the nation grapples with these incidents, the debate over gun control intensifies, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action to address the rising gun violence in Thailand.
“The suspect, Chalong Riewrang, told police he argued with the victim over borrowed money and fired only after the driver pointed a gun at him, claiming he had no intention to shoot. Thailand's prime minister has ordered tougher enforcement against public gun carrying, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian hands.”
