Thailand: Gunshots fired in government office, ex-MP arrested
The suspected shooter is reportedly a former lawmaker who fired several shots at a senior official at a government office. The incident came just days after Thailand's deadliest shooting in nearly four years.
Thai police arrested former lawmaker Chalong Riewraeng, also known as the "gunman," after he allegedly fired shots that killed Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization chairman Thongchai Yenprasert on Monday at a government office near Bangkok. Chalong confessed to the shooting, stating he attempted to speak with Thongchai about money.
The former MP refused to talk, so Chalong pulled his gun and fired. Thongchai, who suffered fatal injuries, died later at Phra Nang Klao hospital. Thongchai's driver was also shot and underwent successful surgery. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that only on-duty officials are allowed to carry guns in public, calling for full legal action against Chalong.
Nonthaburi Governor Chestha Mosikarat noted that the two were friends for a long time and the incident likely stemmed from a misunderstanding. Police stated the motive for the shooting was a personal issue involving a dispute over several million baht. This incident follows a recent mass shooting where a 14-year-old killed nine people and injured over 20 others, prompting calls for stricter gun control laws in Thailand, which currently have some of the highest gun ownership rates in Southeast Asia.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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