BANGKOK: A former Thai MP on Monday shot dead a local government official in broad daylight over a financial dispute before being arrested and confessing to journalists at the police station.
The attack took place outside a government building in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, just days after a school shooting in the same region that raised questions over gun control in Thailand.
Flanked by police officers following his arrest, former MP Chalong Riewrang told reporters he had tried to talk to local official Thongchai Yenprasert about money.
“I followed him to his car and hit his car’s window, saying I want to talk. He said he will not talk, so I pulled my gun,” Chalong admitted, handcuff-free and smoking a cigarette.
“I did not aim to shoot, but his driver pulled a gun and pointed it at me so I fired.” Thongchai, who was chairman of the Nonthaburi administration, died of his wounds, according to a hospital director.
Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026
