Ex-Thai MP shoots dead local official over money row

Bangkok: A former Thai Member of Parliament (MP) opened fire on a local government official over a financial dispute before being apprehended and confessing to the crime. The incident occurred in broad daylight outside a government building in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, days after a school shooting in the same region that sparked debates about gun control in Thailand.

Former MP Chalong Riewrang claimed he had attempted to discuss money with the victim, Thongchai Yenprasert, but the conversation ended when the victim refused to talk. Chalong said he drew his gun after the victim's driver threatened him with a firearm, leading to the fatal shooting. Thongchai, who served as the chairman of the Nonthaburi local government administration, succumbed to his injuries at Phra Nang Klao hospital, where his neck was pierced and he sustained significant blood loss. The victim's driver suffered a wounded right arm but survived surgery.

According to Sakon Sukprom, the director of Phra Nang Klao hospital, Thongchai died from his wounds. Thongchai's driver was also shot in the arm but recovered successfully. Regional police commander Wattana Yeechin confirmed that both Chalong and the victim possessed firearms, but only Chalong fired the weapon during the attack. CCTV footage indicated that Chalong was the sole shooter, firing from close range.

The source of the dispute was revealed in Chalong's confession, stating that the issue involved several million baht (tens of thousands of dollars) and the repayment of a loan that the former MP had sought from the victim over several years. Nonthaburi Governor Chestha Mosikarat revealed that the two men were long-time friends, and the incident likely resulted from a miscommunication.

Gun ownership in Thailand is relatively high, with an estimated 10 million firearms in circulation, approximately one for every seven inhabitants. In light of a recent school shooting that left six individuals dead, including the gunman's grandparents, authorities have pledged to enforce stricter gun laws, yet past commitments have not halted the recurring violence.