- Chalong Riewrang, a former Thai MP, allegedly shoots a provincial official, Thongchai, who later died in hospital after being hit in the neck; his driver was shot in the arm and hand.
- Chalong was arrested but later allowed to hold a press conference at a police station, where he claimed Thongchai was "angry" at him and that he did not intend to shoot his "good friend".
- Chalong recounted that Thongchai pushed him and said "I don't want to talk, I don't want to talk," and that he fired only after Thongchai's driver pulled a gun on him.
- Chalong's confession on YouTube has led to his arrest and the ongoing investigation.
- Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of its Supreme National Security Council, promoting a prominent hardliner and close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
- The shooting is expected to spur debate about gun control in Thailand, which has the highest rate of gun ownership in South East Asia by a wide margin.
- Rezaei joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and became its commander in 1981 at age 27, leading it for 16 years including most of the Iran-Iraq war.
- Rezaei has been a perennial presidential candidate and served as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 under President Ebrahim Raisi.
- Rezaei holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Tehran.
Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewrang allegedly shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police colonel and president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, during a confrontation outside Thongchai's office. Chalong confessed to the shooting during a YouTube livestream with political commentator Anchalee Paireerak, stating, "I didn't intend to shoot him."1
Thongchai was shot in the neck and later died in the hospital, while his driver was injured. Chalong, who was arrested, held a press conference where he described Thongchai as a "good friend" and claimed he acted in self-defense after Thongchai's driver pointed a gun at him.23
This incident has reignited discussions about gun control in Thailand, which has the highest rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia. Following a recent school shooting, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered stricter enforcement of gun laws.8
Meanwhile, in Iran, Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, a significant role amid ongoing tensions with the United States. Rezaei, a hardliner and ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has a controversial history, including his leadership during the Iran-Iraq war. His appointment comes as he has made statements expressing skepticism about negotiations with the U.S. and advocating for a strong military stance.7910
“Chalong claimed Thongchai was 'angry' at him and that he fired only after the driver pulled a gun, but the shooting is expected to spur gun control debate in Thailand, which has the highest ownership rate in Southeast Asia. Rezaei, a former IRGC commander, has voiced skepticism about negotiations and opposed ceasefire extensions.”
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