In brief
In a shocking turn of events, former Member of Parliament Chalong Reawraeng admitted on a YouTube livestream that he shot and killed local official Thongchai Yenprasert outside his office in Nonthaburi. The incident, which also left a driver wounded, has fueled renewed calls for stricter gun control measures in Thailand, a country already grappling with the highest pistol ownership in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a crackdown on firearms in the wake of recent mass shootings. Meanwhile, the political community watches how the justice system will handle an ex‑parliamentary gunman.
Former Thai MP Chalong Reawraeng admits on a live YouTube call that he shot former police official Thongchai Yenprasert outside the latter’s office in Nonthaburi.
The shooting left local policeman Thongchai dead from a neck wound and his driver injured with an arm and hand wound. Reawraeng, who had recently been arrested, was allowed to hold a press conference at a police station where he tried to explain the incident while smoking a cigarette.
Reawraeng told reporters that Yenprasert was "angry" and that the conflict began when Yenprasert pushed him away during an attempt to talk. He said he did not intend to shoot Yenprasert, describing him as a "good friend" until Yenprasert’s driver pulled a gun and pointed it at Reawraeng, forcing him to fire.
The incident follows a tragic school shooting three days earlier that marked Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has already ordered tougher enforcement of gun laws and announced checkpoints and stricter controls on firearm possession, carrying and use.
The roar from the YouTube livestream captured the nation’s shock. Anchalee Paireerak, a political commentator who was broadcasting at the time, answered the call in half‑shock, asking if the victim was dead and warning the caller to remain where he was until authorities arrived.
